PKED Launches New Culinary Tourism Strategy As Part of National Pilot Project
MEDIA RELEASE – Thursday June 3, 2021.
[PETERBOROUGH, ON]: With support from the Canadian Experiences Fund, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) partnered with the Culinary Tourism Alliance (CTA) in an initiative to develop a national culinary tourism strategy. Peterborough & the Kawarthas was selected as one of four destinations in Canada to take part in a culinary tourism strategy development pilot.
In collaboration with municipal and provincial partners, the CTA developed a distinct, context-specific three-year strategy to grow culinary tourism in Peterborough & the Kawarthas in partnership with Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) and a wide range of local stakeholders. Learnings from the pilot projects are being used to develop national guidelines for culinary tourism strategy development in rural and remote destinations to be used throughout Canada.
“Peterborough & the Kawarthas has a reputation for being a leader in culinary tourism in Ontario. Long before we were offered the opportunity to participate in this program, we were exploring ways to foster rural economic development through agritourism. Being selected as one of four destinations in Canada only further solidified the importance of developing a strategy that strengthens connections between urban-rural communities in Peterborough & the Kawarthas through culinary tourism.” Noted Tracie Bertrand, PKED’s Director of Tourism.
The Peterborough & the Kawarthas Culinary Tourism Strategy presents the direction and actions that PKED will take in partnership with local industry to develop culinary tourism over the next three years. It was developed in alignment with several initiatives undertaken by PKED over the past 5 years related to the local tourism and agriculture industries.
“It’s not just culinary businesses that stand to benefit from this strategy. Many businesses can use food and drink products to elevate the visitor experience. In fact, any tourism-related business that includes a taste of place or culinary experience as part of its offering is part of the culinary tourism value chain.” Added Bertrand.
To view Peterborough & the Kawarthas Culinary Tourism Strategy and other resources related to this project visit: www.thekawarthas.ca/tourism-partners/
For media inquiries contact Kelly Jessup, Director of Marketing & Communications, 705.743.0777 Ext. 2130 or kjessup@peterboroughed.ca
Made possible through the Tourism Industry Association of Canada’s Elevating Canadian Experiences program that is delivered through the support of the Canadian Experiences Fund by the Government of Canada.
About PKED
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) is the lead regional economic development agency for the City and County of Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. Established in 1999, PKED is a not-for-profit organization that is funded to deliver economic development and tourism services through a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Peterborough and the County of Peterborough and is governed by a volunteer board of directors made of up to 13 members of the local community, including Chief Administrative Officers for the County and City of Peterborough.
PKED’s Mandate
To facilitate an environment which will contribute to the creation of wealth, the growth of new employment and the development of an improving quality of life for area residents. PKED will promote, facilitate, and develop a strong unified economic development presence for the Greater Peterborough area (being the entire geographic region consisting of the County of Peterborough and the City of Peterborough). PKED will work cooperatively with local municipalities and other organizations to ensure that investment opportunities throughout the region are effectively developed. PKED, in working to fulfill its general mandate, will be guided by the corporations’ strategic plan.