The City of Elliot Lake is calling upon owners of short-term rental properties, including AirBnBs, and the community to contribute their insights and experiences as part of the newly launched Explore Elliot Lake Tourism Initiative.
This ambitious project aims to develop a comprehensive three-year tourism strategy for the community, focusing on enhancing the local tourism landscape through extensive community engagement.
Launched in December 2024 and set to conclude in July 2025, the initiative is a collaborative effort involving the city and Bannikin, an Ontario-based tourism consulting firm renowned for its expertise in tourism development.
The project encompasses a variety of research and public engagement activities designed to gather input from key stakeholders, including tourism business owners, community members, and tourism partners.
The city is particularly keen to hear from short-term rental owners, as their unique perspectives are vital in understanding the current tourism climate and in shaping future strategies.
To facilitate this, the city has prepared a community tourism survey that will be available online from March 3 to March 30, 2025.
The survey is estimated to take approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete and is completely anonymous. However, those who operate businesses such as AirBnBs will encounter additional questions specific to their sector, which may require a bit more time.
For those who prefer traditional means, paper surveys will also be available at City Hall, located at 45 Hillside Drive North. Residents can pick up a hard copy between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Completed surveys must be returned to City Hall by March 30, 2025.
In addition to the survey, the city is organizing Industry Focus Groups scheduled for April 8 and 9, 2025, at City Hall. These sessions are intended specifically for tourism business owners and operators to share their insights and experiences directly.
The sessions are designed to foster open dialogue about tourism development, management, and marketing in Elliot Lake. Interested participants are required to RSVP to secure their spot by emailing [email protected] or calling 705-848-2287 ext. 2107.
The upcoming sessions are designed to engage participants in meaningful discussions within specific industry focus groups and a community open house.
The first industry focus group session is scheduled for Tuesday, April 8, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., providing an opportunity for professionals to share insights and collaborate on key industry issues.
This will be followed by the second session on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at the same time, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., allowing for further exploration of relevant topics.
In addition to the focus groups, a community open house will also take place on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. The first open house session is set for 1:30 to 3 p.m., followed by a second session later that evening from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
These open house sessions will offer community members the chance to engage with one another, share their perspectives, and contribute to the ongoing dialogue surrounding community development and initiatives.
Participants are encouraged to attend these sessions to enhance their understanding and involvement in both industry-related matters and community affairs.
In addition to surveys and focus groups, the initiative will include interviews with City Council members and key informants to gather a wide range of perspectives on the tourism landscape in Elliot Lake.
The Explore Elliot Lake Tourism Initiative represents a significant opportunity for the community and business owners to come together and shape the future of tourism in the area.
By contributing their experiences and insights, they can help ensure that the resulting tourism strategy not only meets the needs of visitors but also supports local businesses and enriches the overall community experience.
For more information and to participate in the survey, visit the City of Elliot Lake’s official website.