OTTAWA, December 18, 2024 — Ottawa Tourism and Canadian Heritage are pleased to announce the official opening of the new Ottawa Visitor Centre in the Central Chambers, an iconic building in the heart of downtown Ottawa. In a collaboration between Ottawa Tourism and Canadian Heritage, and with funding provided by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), the Ottawa Visitor Centre offers a wide range of services designed to meet the needs of both domestic and international travellers.
This modern and carefully designed centre combines Ottawa Tourism’s extensive knowledge in welcoming visitors and branding the destination with Canadian Heritage’s visitor information services and interpretation expertise. The new centre opens following the relocation of the Capital Information Kiosk services from its previous location across from Parliament Hill. This public-private collaboration joins a network of existing visitor service establishments in the region, including the Maison du Tourisme de l’Outaouais, the ByWard Market District Authority’s Market Ambassadors, and the Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, further enhancing the tourism experience in the nation’s capital.
The Ottawa Visitor Centre brings greater visibility to the city’s diverse tourism offerings, in addition to serving as a gateway for visitors, providing essential information on events, restaurants, attractions and landmarks across the Ottawa region. The Ottawa Visitor Centre plays a key role in supporting and promoting local businesses and enhancing the vibrancy and prosperity of the city’s visitor economy, contributing to ongoing downtown revitalization efforts as well as encouraging visitors to explore and experience Ottawa’s neighbourhoods and rural locales.
“The opening of this space marks a significant step forward in our community’s efforts to rejuvenate and revitalize Ottawa’s downtown core,” says Michael Crockatt, President and CEO of Ottawa Tourism. “By offering a welcoming and informative space for visitors and locals, Ottawa Tourism hopes to encourage longer trips and repeat visits, thereby contributing to the city’s vitality and economy. We thank our partners at Canadian Heritage for collaborating with us on this important initiative, and FedDev Ontario for their financial support in helping us build a state-of-the-art location.”
"To highlight Canada’s capital, the federal government plays a unique role and can help shape the visitor experience in Ottawa,” says Canadian Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge. “From organizing national celebrations like Canada Day and Winterlude to providing interpretation services for iconic landmarks such as Parliament Hill and the National War Memorial, our relationship with Ottawa as a destination is truly special. Partnering with Ottawa Tourism on this visitor centre is a natural extension of our commitment to ensuring that Canadians and tourists alike have access to the rich cultural and historical offerings of our nation’s capital."
“People travel from all corners of the world to experience the history, culture and vibrancy of Canada’s capital,” says the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). “With support through FedDev Ontario, the new Ottawa Visitor Centre is showcasing all that the city has to offer, which will in turn benefit local small businesses and the hospitality industry in Ottawa.”
About Ottawa Tourism
Through its values of inclusivity, trust, collaboration, and innovation, Ottawa Tourism pursues its vision to be one of Canada’s most visited, sustainable, vibrant, and appealing urban destinations, as well as the tourism authority for key economic development and city-building decisions in Ottawa. Canada’s capital welcomes an estimated 9.8 million visitors annually who spend $2.6 billion in the community contributing to economic prosperity and quality of life in Ottawa.
About Canadian Heritage
Canadian Heritage plays a vital role in enriching the experience of residents and visitors to Canada’s Capital Region by celebrating and showcasing the country's heritage, culture and history. Through the organization of cultural events and activities, the management of sites of national significance, and collaboration with various local, regional and national partners, Canadian Heritage is committed to fostering an understanding and appreciation of our country's heritage.
About FedDev Ontario
For 15 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our investment profiles, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
For more information, please contact:
Jérôme Miousse
Director, Public Affairs
Ottawa Tourism
corporate@ottawatourism.ca
Canadian Heritage
Media Relations
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca
