OCTA

The Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance

Food is the foundation of our culture. Culinary tourism offers the opportunity for people to experience our culture through  food and folklore. We are developing relationships between growers and processors, chefs and restaurateurs, bed and breakfasts and distributor, with the goal of establishing new culinary tourism experiences based upon a sustainable food system.

OCTA builds capacity for the Ontario culinary tourism supply chain by connecting growers, producers, processors, tourism operators and other participants in the culinary tourism supply chain.

OCTA is leading efforts in research, education and product development to build capacity for culinary tourism in Ontario. As an industry driven organization working to advance the province’s Culinary Tourism Strategy, OCTA has the goal of developing Ontario into an international culinary tourism destination.

Our Vision

For Ontario to become the destination of choice for travellers seeking to enrich their understanding of diverse regions and cultures through authentic culinary tourism experiences.

Our Mission

• Help build and sustain regional identities and agricultural resources and food supplies.

• Present opportunities to develop new quality tourism products and experiences.

• Become a way in which we share our story and tell it with pride.

In April 2006, the 10 year Ontario Culinary Tourism Strategy & Action Plan was announced by Ontario Minister of Tourism Jim Bradley at Niagara on the Lake. With criteria outlined in the strategy, 5 regions were identified to help with the initial phase of implementation – Ottawa, Greater Toronto, Niagara, Greater Ottawa and Muskoka/Parry Sound.

In May 2006, a Culinary Tourism Summit was held in Prince Edward County and together leadership from the 5 regions and Ontario commodity groups met to review the strategy and finalize key priorities that would build capacity for culinary tourism as quickly as possible.

Immediate priorities included;

• Make it easier to conduct business by connecting farmers, chefs, accommodation, festivals, retailers and others in the supply chain

• Provide a central repository for relevant research and best practices so organizations can learn from the experiences of others

• Offer a central location for media releases to make it easier for journalists to access information on the latest Ontario culinary tourism initiatives.

• Celebrate excellence by highlighting award winning products and operators

Ottawa, Muskoka, Niagara, Toronto, Prince Edward County immediately started working together with Norfolk County joining in 2008. Since that time Stratford, Durham, Elora & Fergus, Northumberland, Peterborough & Kawarthas, Grey Bruce, Muskoka, Kingston, Guelph & Wellington, and Elgin County have shown their commitment to developing culinary tourism in their regions and have joined OCTA.

OCTA is currently made up of 27 organizations representing over 10,000 businesses across the province.