≡-Ottawa Tourism Announces Bold Plans for 2025 with New Board Leadership and Innovative Visitor Pass to Boost Summer Travel – Viral of Today

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Home » Canada Travel News » Ottawa Tourism Announces Bold Plans for 2025 with New Board Leadership and Innovative Visitor Pass to Boost Summer Travel Friday, June 20, 2025Ottawa Tourism, the leading authority on the city’s tourism initiatives, held its Annual General Meeting at the Ottawa Art Gallery, where it announced its new Board of Directors for the 2025-2026 term. This event brought together representatives from a wide array of Ottawa’s nearly 500 member businesses, celebrating past successes and gearing up for a promising future with an eye on the summer tourism season.Throughout 2024, Ottawa’s tourism sector made significant strides in enhancing the city’s appeal to global visitors. Ottawa Tourism continued its implementation of the Destination Stewardship Plan, which led to hosting major events such as the IIHF World Junior Championship and the International Indigenous Tourism Conference. The organization also took strong steps toward sustainability, particularly through its À La Carte food recovery program, which successfully redirected over 160,000 meals to individuals facing food insecurity in its inaugural year. Furthermore, Ottawa Tourism was instrumental in improving the accessibility of local tourism businesses, allowing more people to experience the city’s unique offerings.A significant milestone was the partnership with Canadian Heritage, which led to the opening of a new Visitor Centre aimed at promoting Ottawa’s rich cultural heritage, diverse attractions, and local experiences. This initiative is expected to generate a considerable economic impact while laying the groundwork for several key infrastructure and tourism development projects set to roll out in 2025.New Leadership for Ottawa Tourism’s BoardThe AGM also saw the election of Nyle Kelly as the new Chair of the Board for a two-year term. Kelly, the Executive Vice President and General Manager of Brookstreet Hotel and Marshes Golf Club, brings over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry. He has been involved in the opening of more than 20 hotels across North America and Asia and currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Algonquin College Hotel and Restaurant Management Program. Under Kelly’s leadership, Ottawa Tourism looks forward to continued growth and success.Ottawa Tourism’s Board for 2025-2026:Nyle Kelly, Brookstreet Hotel, Chair of the Board and Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) Management CommitteeStefanie Siska, co-owner of C’est Bon Ottawa, former Board ChairKondwani Mwase, National Arts Centre, serving as Vice-ChairGeneviève Dumas, Fairmont Château Laurier, leading the Meetings & Conventions CommitteeCynthia Ladouceur, Courtyard by Marriott Ottawa East, heading the Travel Trade CommitteeChris Pierce, Les Suites Hotel Ottawa, overseeing the Marketing CommitteeSteve Ball, Ottawa Gatineau Hotel AssociationMarc Forgette, Makatew WorkshopsNina Kressler, Rogers Centre OttawaLiliane Lê, National Gallery of CanadaAndrew Peck, Downtown Rideau BIACarole Saad, Chic & Swell Event DesignersSofia Santiso-Borsten, Zak’s DinerAli Shafaee, Live NationJoel Tkach, Ottawa International Airport AuthorityCindy VanBuskirk, City of OttawaThis team of diverse and highly experienced professionals is expected to guide Ottawa’s tourism sector into a new era of innovation, growth, and sustainability.Exciting New Initiatives for 2025 TourismOttawa Tourism’s unveiling of the Visit Ottawa Pass is one of the key initiatives that will define the upcoming tourism season. Building upon the success of previous passes, the new initiative will offer visitors the chance to explore five out of 14 top attractions and activities for just \$100. In addition, a special summer package will offer children access to these experiences free of charge with the purchase of an adult pass. This initiative not only increases the value proposition for families but also provides additional discounts at select restaurants, shops, and attractions, helping visitors make the most of their time in Ottawa.The Visit Ottawa Pass is aligned with Ottawa’s goal of becoming a hub for Canadian identity tourism. The pass coincides with the newly introduced Canada Strong Pass, which provides free access to seven of the country’s national museums for youth aged 17 and under. These two initiatives highlight Ottawa’s role as one of Canada’s top family-friendly travel destinations, providing a plethora of affordable and educational experiences.Michael Crockatt, President and CEO of Ottawa Tourism, expressed his optimism for the future, emphasizing that “Ottawa’s visitor economy is entering a new era of growth and opportunity.” He also highlighted the crucial role that both the tourism industry’s leadership and the support of local businesses would play in realizing Ottawa’s potential in the coming years.Building on a Legacy of Leadership and SustainabilityReflecting on her completed term as Board Chair, Stefanie Siska expressed pride in the progress made under her leadership. “It’s been an honour to serve as Chair during a crucial time for our industry,” said Siska, who is also the co-owner of C’est Bon Ottawa. “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together in building a more inclusive, sustainable destination and confident that the incoming Board will continue to build on this momentum.”New Board Chair Nyle Kelly echoed this sentiment, saying, “I’m excited to take on this role at such a pivotal time for Ottawa’s tourism sector. Our city has so much to offer, and I look forward to working with the Board and the Ottawa Tourism team to strengthen our destination’s appeal and economic impact.”Ottawa Tourism is dedicated to making Ottawa one of Canada’s most visited and sustainable urban destinations. With an annual influx of over 10 million visitors, Ottawa’s tourism sector contributes significantly to the local economy, generating \$2.6 billion in community spending.Ottawa Tourism is dedicated to promoting the city’s global presence and fostering economic growth for local residents by upholding its core principles of inclusivity, trust, collaboration, and innovation.As the city gears up for a new year of tourism development, the future of Ottawa’s visitor economy looks bright, with new leadership and exciting initiatives that are sure to bring more visitors and new opportunities to Canada’s capital.

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