Have you ever felt that pull to explore, but found yourself looking past what’s right in your backyard? As members of Ontario’s vibrant African and Indo-Caribbean communities, we carry rich traditions, stories, and connections that span continents. Yet sometimes, we overlook the treasures waiting just beyond our doorstep.
The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario recently launched “Forward Motion,” a strategic playbook that promises to transform how we experience travel within our province. What caught my attention was the growing visitor spending to over $38 billion by 2030 and the fact that this would be creating 35,000 new jobs. There was also something deeper; the commitment to inclusive tourism that speaks directly to us.
Developed through extensive consultations with Indigenous leaders and diverse community voices, it acknowledges what we have always known; travel experiences resonate most when they reflect our identities and histories.
When I spoke with community members about traveling within Ontario, I heard mixed feelings. Some expressed concern about finding culturally relevant experiences, while others worried about representation in tourism marketing. These are valid feelings I have shared while planning outings.
The Forward Motion strategy directly addresses these concerns through its six core pillars, particularly: “Strengthen Workforce Resilience” and “Foster Collaboration and Leadership.” These initiatives aim to ensure that tourism in Ontario reflects the full diversity of our province, meaning more opportunities for Afro/Indo and Caribbean-owned businesses to shine, more stories that center our experiences, and more spaces where we feel genuinely welcomed.
Imagine summer festivals celebrating Caribbean culture in Ottawa, African heritage tours in Windsor, or Indo-Caribbean culinary experiences in Toronto, all enhanced by this renewed focus on inclusive tourism. The strategy’s emphasis on expanding transportation infrastructure also means easier access to these experiences, whether you’re traveling from Brampton, or Brockville.
What excites me most is how this strategy recognizes tourism as: connection, preservation of culture, and economic empowerment for our communities. When we travel within Ontario, we are not just tourists; we are participants in a larger story of cultural recognition and economic growth.
As Minister Rechie Valdez noted, this strategy “Reflects the voices of those on the front lines: small business owners, Indigenous leaders, and tourism workers.” This includes members of our own communities (Roger Mooking) who are crafting unique experiences that bridge our heritage with our Canadian identity.
This summer, I invite you to look at Ontario with fresh eyes. Visit that Afro/Indo-owned restaurant you have been meaning to try. Explore the Caribbean cultural festival in your neighbouring city. Share your experiences and support businesses that speak to our shared heritage.
In doing so, we are taking a vacation, and we are helping build a tourism industry that: sees us, values us, and celebrates us, and that’s a journey worth taking together.
