Eastern Ontario Agri-Food Network

The Ontario Professional Tourism Industry Specialist (OPTIS) Micro-Credential is designed in partnership with the top industry leaders in Ontario tourism for upskilling existing employees within their current job, in addition to supporting the tourism sector to scale up in post-COVID recovery. This micro-credential targets individuals who work for any organization with a mandate to support operators to foster growth in the tourism industry. This includes provincial and federal tourism advisors, municipal staff, economic development officers, destination marketing and sector organization staff, in addition to tourism operators and individuals in management roles within the tourism sector.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, learners should be able to:

• Recognize the key components and interconnected nature of the tourism industry, specifically within Ontario and Northern Ontario;
• Explain the importance of tourism products including the identification and assessment of product quality;
• Identify marketing fundamentals and key Ontario markets;
• Implement e-marketing/communications strategies, including how to connect with the Ontario tourism marketing strategies;
• Describe the community role and response to the visitor experience including modifying delivery of visitor services and planning for visitor use of community infrastructure;
• With a specific focus on Indigenous, Francophone, LGBTQ+ products and markets, implement a toolkit of equity, diversity, and inclusion-focused tourism practices to ensure people know they are welcome and included;
• Discuss the international sector-specific protocols for customer safety and public health operating protocols established by government (especially with regard to pandemic management) as they relate to risk and liability considerations; and
• Identify and explain tourism products and markets unique to the north, including key networks and organizations that support tourism in the north and sub-regional marketing partners.

The cost is $750.00, and is only six weeks long. The next intake for it is Sept 2025.

Click here for more information and to register.