Episodes

In this episode of Forward Motion, host Andrew Siegwart sits down with Peter Paz, Senior Director of Public and Government Relations at Alto, to explore what Canada’s first high-speed rail project could mean for Ontario’s tourism industry, communities and economy. Alto is developing a high-speed rail corridor connecting Toronto, Peterborough, Ottawa, Laval, Montréal, Trois-Rivières and Québec City, with trains expected to reach speeds of up to 320 km/h. But as Peter explains, the opportunity ex...

In this episode, host Andrew Siegwart is joined by Vinay Sharda, President of Destination Markham Corporation; Councillor Andrew Keyes, City of Markham Councillor and Chair of Destination Markham; and Jeff Atkinson of Green Savoree Racing Promotions, President of the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham. Together, they explore why moving the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy from Toronto’s Exhibition Place to Markham represents much more than a venue change. It offers a blueprint for destination de...

Artificial intelligence is transforming tourism, but it is only one part of a much larger technological shift. In this episode of Forward Motion, Andrew Siegwart is joined by Mike Jacobs, founder of The New Business and Whereabouts, to explore how emerging technology is changing the way tourism businesses operate, market themselves and connect with visitors. The conversation moves beyond the hype surrounding AI to examine what these tools can realistically do for tourism organizations toda...

Our hearts are with everyone affected by the tragic events at the Salsa on St. Clair Festival. We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and the injuries sustained, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of those affected. Our thoughts are also with everyone in attendance, the festival organizers, volunteers, performers, vendors, and the first responders who responded so quickly and professionally. Festivals are places where communities come togeth...

As Ontario embraces being one of the hosts for FIFA World Cup 2026™, Forward Motion continues its Road to FIFA World Cup 2026™ series, celebrating the countries, cultures, and communities that will be part of the tournament experience in Toronto. In this episode, host Andrew Siegwart speaks with Viviane Sinan, Vice President of ACIRT (Association de la Communauté Ivoirienne de la Région de Toronto), about the Ivorian community’s rapid growth over the last five years to roughly 30,000 people a...

As Ontario prepares to welcome the world for FIFA World Cup 2026™, Forward Motion continues its Road to FIFA World Cup 2026™ series, celebrating the countries, cultures, and communities that will be part of the tournament experience in Toronto. In this episode, host Andrew Siegwart speaks with Anne Wagner-Mitchell, Consul General of Germany in Toronto, about the deep ties between Germany and Ontario, including the more than 1 million Ontarians of German heritage and strong German roots in Tor...

As Ontario prepares to welcome the world for FIFA World Cup 2026™, Forward Motion launches its Road to FIFA World Cup 2026™ series, celebrating the countries, cultures, and communities that will be part of the tournament experience in Toronto. In this episode, host Andrew Siegwart speaks with Daniela Colic, Chargé d’affaires, a.i. for Bosnia and Herzegovina in Canada, about the deep ties between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Ontario. Daniela shares the story of Ontario’s Bosnian community, ma...

In this episode of Forward Motion, Andrew Siegwart sits down with Johanna Griggs to explore the growing connection between tourism, economic development, and investment attraction. Drawing from her experience across municipal, provincial, and national tourism development, Johanna shares how tourism has evolved far beyond traditional marketing into a powerful tool for community regeneration, infrastructure growth, talent attraction, and long-term economic competitiveness. The conversation e...

This episode of Forward Motion dives into a growing challenge I’ve been hearing more and more about from operators in Northwestern Ontario. I speak with Laurie Marcil, Executive Director of the Northern Ontario Tourist Outfitters Association, about how U.S. angling guides are increasingly bringing clients deep into Canadian border waters—profiting from a “Canadian experience” while contributing almost nothing to local communities or tax bases. Laurie explains how LMIA‑exempt work permits, big...

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 Seigwert speaks with Dr. John Smol, one of Canada's leading environmental scientists to understand what's happening beneath the surface, ...

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 To...

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.

Andrew Siegwart explores how Black tourism in Ontario is evolving from a niche offering to an essential driver of both culture and the visitor economy.

Toronto’s visitor economy is the focus of this week's guest, Kelly Jackson, Vice President of Destination Development at Destination Toronto. Listen in, while they unpack Toronto’s record-breaking 2025: 28.2 million visitors, $9.1 billion in visitor spending, and nearly $13.5 billion in total economic impact. Kelly explains how Toronto’s inclusive, globally connected yet distinctly Canadian identity, strong business events sector, and investment in experiences—from concerts and sports to culinar...

We explore the origins and impact of Hospitality Workers Appreciation Day in Ontario through the story of Danny Murrell, founder and CEO of Harrison Staffing. Host Andrew Siegwart traces Danny’s journey from an international student at the University of Toronto—who stumbled into catering to pay the bills—to a purpose-driven entrepreneur building a people-first staffing company. Danny shares how early frontline experiences in serving and janitorial work shaped his belief in dignity, respect, a...

Canada’s tourism industry is emerging from recovery into a high-stakes transition, and TIAC President & CEO Sebastian Benedict argues that the sector is both underestimated and ready. In conversation with Andrew Siegwart, he traces his path from political staffer and lobbyist to national tourism advocate, explaining how listening to operators across Canada has shaped his agenda. Despite headlines about record visitor spending, he notes that many SMEs still struggle with labour shortages, access ...

Andrew Siegwart, President of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario is interviewed by Samuel Miele and discussed the development of a five-year tourism strategy to address regional needs and economic conditions. The strategy includes forming strategic working groups and an alignment council to prioritize initiatives and measure success. Andrew emphasized the importance of diversifying tourism investments, including infrastructure and capital incentives, to attract both domestic and interna...

Dr. Chris Gibbs from Toronto Metropolitan University joins Andrew to explore the critical challenges facing tourism talent development. Drawing from his extensive experience, Gibbs discusses the evolving expectations of students, who are increasingly motivated by financial stability and career growth opportunities.

Our guest is Kelly Higginson who provides an in-depth look at Canada’s restaurant industry, revealing the sector’s complex challenges and innovative solutions. Drawing from her extensive experience, Higginson discusses the ongoing struggles with rising input costs, workforce shortages, and the impact of economic pressures on restaurants nationwide. The conversation explores critical issues like immigration cuts, the importance of culinary training programs, and the potential of technology to ...

Andrew Siegwart is joined by Claire Green from Tourism Burlington to explore the city's innovative approach to destination development. Green shares how Burlington has merged its economic development and tourism departments into a single organization, creating a unified strategy for growth. The discussion highlights the city's new destination stewardship plan, which focuses on marketing, product development, and community engagement.

In this special live episode, join Ontario tourism leaders Brad Kozak, Trevor Norris and Libby Warden at a live panel moderated by Abdullah el Safadi of Air Canada, where they discuss the evolving landscape of tourism in the province. Key themes include the importance of authentic experiences over technology-driven tourism, the value of storytelling and community connection, and the need for clear communication with visitors. The panel highlights the role of younger professionals in sparking inn...

In this two-part episode, Andrew Siegwart celebrates two 2025 Tourism Champions of the Year: Brad Kozak and Trevor Norris, who are transforming Ontario's tourism landscape through innovative approaches.

Andrew Siegwart leads a powerful discussion on public safety in Ontario's tourism industry. Joined by Deputy Chief Nick Milanovic, Robert Serpe, and Sumeeta Kohli, the conversation delves into critical issues like human trafficking, active shooter preparedness, and community protection. The panel explores the evolving landscape of public safety, emphasizing the importance of proactive measures over reactive responses. They discuss how technology, diverse communities, and changing communicatio...

Andrew Siegwart is joined by Indigenous tourism leaders Kevin Eshkawkogan (Indigenous Tourism Ontario), Henry Tso (Indigenous Tourism British Columbia), and Robert Bernard (Nova Scotia Indigenous Enterprise Network) to discuss the transformative impact of Indigenous tourism in Canada. Kevin, Henry and Robert share their personal journeys into the industry and reflect on how Indigenous tourism fosters reconciliation, cultural revitalization, and local prosperity. The conversation highlights th...