Healthy Rural Communities

Why is tourism important?

• In many rural areas tourism-based businesses and services are an important sector of the economy.

   

• Tourism has the ability to improve the quality of life and well-being of residents and visitors. It can enhance the use of a community’s natural assets, character and cultural attributes. 

   

Halton Region: Case Study

• Halton Region has an Agricultural Tourism Strategy, which is being led by the Economic Development Department.

   

• Part of the Halton Region’s Economic Development vision includes collaborating with the Ministry of Tourism and Culture’s Regional Tourism 

   

Recommendations for rural communities

• Consider developing a tourism strategy or bring the focus to tourism through community economic development. A tourism strategy can help to identify, build and develop infrastructure that will support the tourism sector wile also providing infrastructure and resources that will improve quality of life of residents.

   

• Tips for practitioners:

   

  • Come up with creative ways to acquire the necessary funds; these could include writing funding proposals and applying for grants.

     

  • Build a coalition with the business community and council.

     

  • Break a project down into manageable pieces.