Chatham-Kent will now look to highlight its black history and angling opportunities with CK's Tourism Plan passed by council.
These, along with convention opportunities are sectors consultant group BrainTrust feels CK is ready to market to tourists.
But Chatham-Kent will need to come to terms with the fact that it will probably never be a Toronto, or even a Windsor or London. Rep Richard Innes says cities always want to get to the "next level," but adds that level is different for everyone.
"The level for Chatham-Kent will mean moving the number of visitors that come here up every year, the amount of money they spend, the nights they spend overnight, those are the metrics of how they'll gauge success."
Innes also says there needs to be a willingness for change. If a tourist wants to spend a weekend in CK, local businesses can't be of much help if they're closed on Sundays or shut down early. Innes says some operators will be leaders in this change, others will not.
"There will be those that drag behind. It'll be through the example of others and the willingness for individual operators to grow their business and adapt to the changing marketplace."
Innes stresses there does exist other attractions that can appeal to tourists. However, these need to be further developed before marketing.
For a look at the full Tourism Destination Management plan, click here.
