Water is Ontario's most powerful tourism asset. Our 250,000 lakes drive billions in visitor spending every year — from angling and paddling to cottage country getaways and waterfront dining. But those lakes are changing in ways that are already affecting visitor experience, destination appeal, and long-term business viability. In this Earth Day episode, Andrew Siegwart speaks with Dr. John Smol, one of Canada's leading environmental scientists to understand what's happening beneath the surface, and what it means for our industry.

About our Guest:

Dr. Smol is one of Canada's most recognized environmental scientists and a leading voice on lake health and climate change. He held the Canada Research Chair in Environmental Change for the maximum three 7-year terms (2001–2021), has authored over 760 scientific publications and 24 books, and has conducted fieldwork on all seven continents. His PEARL Lab at Queen's University uses lake sediments to reconstruct centuries of environmental history — giving policymakers, municipalities, and industries the long-term evidence base they need to make better decisions. In 2013 he was named an Officer of the Order of Canada.

What we Cover:

• The science of reading lake history from sediment cores — and what centuries of data reveal about how fast things are changing now
• Blue-green algal blooms: why they're increasing, why the old solutions aren't working as well, and what operators in affected areas should know
• Lake trout, walleye, and the angling economy — Ontario holds ~25% of the world's natural lake trout populations, and warming waters are shrinking their habitat
• Invasive species at our doorstep: Asian carp and what it would mean for Great Lakes-based tourism
• Ice fishing seasons at risk — some communities have already lost entire seasons due to unsafe ice conditions
• Wildfire smoke: how fires hundreds of kilometres away are already forcing visitors to stay indoors and cancel travel plans
• What the Montreal Protocol teaches us about galvanizing governments — and the role industry voices play in making that happen
• Practical starting points for operators who want to act on sustainability — and why Dr. Smol says the business case is stronger than ever

Resources and Initiatives:

Looking to take action or learn more? Explore these programs, tools, and organizations supporting sustainability across Ontario’s tourism ecosystem:

GreenStep | Sustainability that moves business forward

Take the Pledge | Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge

Ingersoll Key Putt

Discover unique Native Experiences in Ontario

Sustainable Kingston

Air Canada – Leave less

Sustainability | VIA Rail

Planning Resources for Responsible Events | Ottawa Tourism

Forward Motion thanks its partners for their support of this show:

Ontario Travel & Tourism Monthly

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Andrew Siegwart explores what the FIFA World Cup 2026™ means for Ontario’s tourism industry and how destinations can leverage this once-in-a-generation opportunity.

Andrew is joined by Alex Mazanik of Context Research Group’s (CRG), who shares insights from a market intelligence study commissioned by Destination Ontario. Based on a survey of 1,400 likely FIFA World Cup 2026™ visitors, the research examines how travellers are planning their trips and what will influence where they go beyond Toronto.

The conversation highlights Toronto’s role as a base for visitors, with strong intent to explore other parts of the province. In fact, 9 in 10 travellers indicate they are likely to travel beyond the city, reinforcing the opportunity for destinations across Ontario.

Andrew and Alex also explore a shift in traveller behaviour, with visitors seeking more than just the matches. Atmosphere and overall experience are key drivers, particularly among high-value travellers who are comfortable navigating multi-city trips.

The discussion emphasizes the importance of clarity in converting interest into action. Travellers are looking for simple, well-defined experiences and practical information that make it easy to plan and explore.

The opportunity is significant, but not guaranteed. Destinations that are clear, visible, and easy to plan will be best positioned to convert visitors into overnight stays and repeat visits.

Explore the full research: FIFA World Cup 2026™ Market Intelligence Study

Forward Motion thanks its partners for their support of this show:

Ontario Travel & Tourism Monthly

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week’s episode of Forward Motion: The Ontario Tourism Podcast is a little different. Instead of an interview, host Andrew Siegwart shares some personal reflections as Ontario prepares to release its 2026 provincial budget, and what the tourism industry should be watching for.

Drawing on conversations with industry leaders, recent government announcements, and the priorities outlined in Ontario’s new tourism strategy, Andrew offers an insider perspective on how tourism fits into the province’s broader economic story. He discusses why tourism should be seen not just as an industry, but as a practical tool for economic growth, workforce development, regional prosperity, and investment attraction.

In this solo episode, Andrew walks through the key themes TIAO has been raising in its pre-budget advocacy including marketing and demand generation, workforce and training, private-sector investment, product development, and support for festivals, events, and Indigenous tourism, and he explains what signals he’ll be looking for when the budget is tabled.

This is a candid, conversational update for anyone who wants to better understand how provincial policy decisions affect tourism businesses, destinations, and communities across Ontario and why this year’s budget could matter more than most.

We’ll be back next episode with our regular interview format, but for now, thanks for listening — and for everything you do to keep Ontario’s tourism industry moving forward.

📄 Read TIAO’s 2026 Pre-Budget Submission

Forward Motion thanks its partners for their support of this show:

Ontario Travel & Tourism Monthly

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.