The City of Greater Sudbury received a regional tourism award for its familiarization tours in 2018.
At the Destination Northern Ontario Summit held in Sault Ste. Marie in November, city tourism officials were presented with the Industry Leader for Workforce Development and Training Award for its Tourism Familiarization (FAM) Tours.
This award recognized three Sudbury Tourism Customer Service FAM Tours held in 2018.
FAM Tours are trips organized by travel providers to educate and promote the destination’s products, attractions and services.
“Growing our local tourism industry is something we’ve made great strides in over the last number of years and City Council wants to continue to bolster and showcase all that Greater Sudbury has to offer as a tourism destination,” said Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger.
According to a city Dec. 21 news release, staff worked with local tourism partners to visit activity centres, attractions and local businesses in the community.
Employees at each stop updated groups on the upcoming tourist season, and participants sampled the sights, sounds and taste experiences of Greater Sudbury.
“Our FAM tours are one example of the many initiatives led by the City’s Economic Development division to promote Greater Sudbury,” said Meredith Armstrong, acting director of economic development for the city.
The most current data from the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport indicates that Greater Sudbury had 1.25 million visitors in 2016, with total spending estimated at $193 million.
