Virtual Tourism Career Expo Ottawa to be held May 18
OTTAWA, May 9, 2022—A virtual Tourism Career Expo takes place on Wednesday, May 18, sponsored by Ottawa Tourism. Employers representing the tourism industry—hotels, tour companies, event management firms, attractions, and more—are looking to fill positions for the upcoming season and beyond and showcase career paths in this prosperous and rewarding industry.
Employers with open positions must register via the website by May 12, attend a virtual training session, and be available to staff a virtual booth on May 18 between 9:00am and 4:00pm.
Meanwhile, job seekers who register for the event can peruse listings, apply for positions, share their resumes, and start conversations with employers from May 17 to 21. On May 18, job seekers can visit virtual booths that will be staffed by employers between 9:00am and 4:00pm.
“There’s never been a more exciting time to join—or rejoin—the local tourism family,” says Michael Crockatt, President and CEO of Ottawa Tourism. “As we navigate our way past the challenges of the past two years, there is a real opportunity to forge a new path and make a difference in how tourism develops going forward. We need creative, committed, capable people to chart that course.”
This isn’t the first foray into workforce development for Ottawa Tourism: since November 2021, thanks to funding from the Government of Ontario, Ottawa Tourism has maintained Ottawa’s Work in Tourism Job Board. More than 250 job postings have been shared since then, with more than 100,000 page views.
In addition, Ottawa Tourism has worked to address customer service training in the tourism industry by launching Shine On, an innovative front-line staff training academy and awards program. An in-person launch event for the program was held on Tuesday, May 3 at the Shaw Centre. The Shine On Academy is an interactive learning tool to further employees’ knowledge of Ottawa and tourism, with lessons on:
- Ottawa Tourism branding and the importance of Ottawa’s visitor economy;
- In-destination knowledge of neighbourhoods, attractions, restaurants, and more;
- Best practices in customer service;
- Tools and resources to come back to time and time again.
And in March 2022, Ottawa Tourism partnered with the Ottawa Board of Trade to release the Workforce Confidence Initiative, a comprehensive strategy to restore employee confidence in the hardest hit sectors in the region, such as the hospitality and tourism industry. Amid labour shortages, this initiative is a tool for businesses to ensure employees have the materials and information needed to feel safe, supported, and confident to return to work.
About Ottawa Tourism
Ottawa Tourism provides destination development and marketing, strategic direction, and leadership in cooperation with its members and partners, welcoming leisure travellers, business travellers, group tours, and conventions to Ottawa and Canada’s Capital Region. Its goal is to support the local tourism economy, fueled by an estimated 11 million visitors annually in recent years and with $3 billion in typical economic output for Ottawa, generating community prosperity through tourism. Ottawa Tourism’s vision is to offer the complete capital experience, tell the story of Canada, and get people talking.
For more information, please contact:
Ottawa Tourism
Jantine Van Kregten
Director of Communications, Ottawa Tourism
press@ottawatourism.ca
