3 Year Plan

Year One

The objectives for year one was to create a foundation for a re-structured James Bay Frontier, with a great web presence that focused on experiences to be had within the region and gave potential visitors an opportunity to interact with the area and easily plan their vacation. Through a brand new regional web portal and social networks such as Facebook, Vimeo, TripAdvisor and the Northern Ontario web portal, Ontario's Wilderness Region managed to create a networking web presence that continues to grow.

The second objective for the year was to help tourism operators believe in the association again. To deliver marketing opportunities that were effective, yet affordable. OWR staff was able to bring on board over 70 private operators, along with over 25 communities within the region. The region now sits at 85 private sector partners, 25 community partners and 4 associate partners.

The third objective was to archive video for all tourism partners, to be used during the development of profile videos as part of the Platinum Impact Package to be available in 2010-2011. The video has been shot in high definition and continues to be archived until needed.

Year Two

The first objective for year two is to apply to FedNor for special project funding. The projects will consist of three major branding advancements for the region. 1) To offer professional video production buy-in opportunities. 2) Develop branded kiosks in regional Travel Information Centres. 3) Implement regional highway signage to each entrance of the regional boundaries.

These special projects play a huge role in brand recognition for the region, while also giving it more credibility as a travel destination. The association envisions that some of these projects could take at least one full year to get approved and for the plans to get underway.

Another important objective for year two is to continue to grow the partnership base and to have close to 60% of the total regional private sector industry and municipalities on as partners and being promoted with Ontario’s Wilderness Region.

Year Three

Year three of the continued three year plan brings together concepts on how we see growth for Ontario’s Wilderness Region and finding sustainable revenue as the association moves forward.

Year three will also see all of the special projects taken on in year two come together to help brand the region, and distinguish Ontario’s Wilderness Region as a credible travel destination. It is expected that funding for video production, highway signage and Information kiosks will be approved and plans to have these projects set in place and off the ground will be available, making all projects ready before summer of 2011.

By the end of year three, the association will be ready to incorporate its full three year strategy into the complete package. The complete package includes regional brand recognition, video production on the go, social networks being updated daily and playing a bigger role in the interaction with travelers, as well as an increase in Search Engine Optimization and Marketing for better visitation results. Ontario’s Wilderness Region will be at the top of its game and will be one of the leading tourism organizations for all of Ontario.