Latest news with #GordonOrr
CTV News
7 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
TWEPI hopes domestic visitors will fill gap
The head of Tourism Windsor-Essex Pelee Island (TWEPI) says Americans are still coming to the area, but this summer has been 'softer' when it comes to tourism. TWEPI Chief Executive Officer Gordon Orr says 33 per cent of visitation comes from the U.S., from Michigan and Ohio, out of the 5.7 million people who come here annually. Orr says so far this summer, the market has slowed, primarily from the Detroit area and Ohio. 'Our tunnel traffic is down a little bit, and our hotel occupancy is down a little bit, so it's been a little bit softer. Where we're hoping that gap will be closed is where the domestic visitation comes in and the local campaign comes in,' he says. Earlier this year, TWEPI launched its largest-ever multi-pronged advertising campaign to attract visitors to the region that included U.S. advertising campaigns along with a focus on the southwestern corridor into the Greater Toronto Area to generate greater visitation. It was launched, along with a local campaign, following the trade war and other policies initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump, which resulted in reduced travel between Canada and the U.S., with people on this side of the border considering staycations throughout Ontario and Canada in a show of patriotism. Orr says there are no alarm bells at this point. 'There's a lot of summer left, so we're hoping August will certainly be strong as well. Weather plays a big part in that, the economy plays a big part in that, and patriotism plays a big part in that as well,' he says. 'I know our friends in the U.S. do want to come and support Canada, and they know the tourism experiences are found right across an international border.' He added, when the economy is tough, people tighten their wallets. 'The Americans have softened up, for sure,' said Orr. 'They're not coming over as much as they were; the tunnel traffic supports that, and our hotel stats show that,' he says. 'At the end of the day with the domestic and the stay local campaign and support local, I think we're going to be okay.' According to Orr, they're noticing that the booking windows are also shorter this summer, meaning that people aren't booking as far out but instead closer to the time they're looking to visit or attend an event. TWEPI's summer season is measured between the May 24 Victoria Day long weekend and Labour Day weekend in early September. — Rusty Thomson/AM800 News
CTV News
24-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Invest WindsorEssex names Gordon Orr as CEO, serving dual roles
Invest WindsorEssex has named Gorden Orr as its Chief Executive Officer. Orr currently serves as the CEO of Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island (TWEPI) and will continue in a dual role for both organizations. Orr's new dual role goes into effect July 2. 'I am grateful for this career opportunity, and I think the Boards of Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island and Invest WindsorEssex for the trust they are placing in me to be the CEO of both organizations,' said Orr. 'I very much understand the meaningful roles both regional entities have in being economic generators and job creators. With a strong bench of senior leaders and equally talented staff at both organizations, I look forward to leading these teams for the betterment of the entire region.' Senior leaders on the teams include Jason Toner, vice-president of marketing and communications at TWEPI and Joe Goncalves, vice-president of investment attraction and strategic initiatives at Invest WindsorEssex. 'On behalf of the Board of Directors for Invest WindsorEssex, I am pleased to welcome Gordon Orr as the organization's new Chief Executive Officer,' said Mayor Drew Dilkens, who also serves as the chair of the Board of Directors for Invest WindsorEssex. 'For over three decades, Gordon's leadership, vision, commitment, and follow-through has helped to grow and sustain a thriving tourism and hospitality sector in our region, with significant positive spinoffs for economic development. Now, as Windsor-Essex is identified as one of the fastest growing communities to watch in Ontario and Canada, it is more important than ever to have strong and dedicated leadership to attract new investments and businesses, along with the residents and visitors needed to sustain the upward growth trajectory in our region.' Orr took on the role as TWEPI CEO in September 2011.
CTV News
13-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
TWEPI launches largest-ever ad campaign to bring visitors to Windsor-Essex
Tourism Windsor-Essex-Pelee Island (TWEPI) has launched its largest-ever multi-pronged advertising campaign to attract visitors to the region. TWEPI Chief Executive Officer Gordon Orr said 33 per cent of visitation comes from the U.S. in Michigan and Ohio, but they see a lot of opportunity through the Southwestern Ontario corridor up to the Greater Toronto Area. Orr, speaking at TWEPI's annual general meeting, said that along with the usual U.S. advertising campaigns, they're going to be hitting homes through that Southwestern corridor with direct mail ads, along with strong digital advertising, and they're working with Destination Ontario on several broadcast campaigns to generate greater visitation. Orr said it's the biggest multi-pronged campaign they've ever done. 'Normally, we focus more heavily on the U.S. and some in domestic. This year we're putting more money into the domestic market; we're still spending the same amount in the U.S., but at the same time we're looking at local campaigns,' he said. 'So, we're making sure it's a multipronged approach.' It comes as the trade war and other policies initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump have reduced travel to the U.S. as more people consider staycations throughout Ontario and Canada. Orr said they're cautiously optimistic about the upcoming summer season. 'The economy will play a big role, and consumer confidence will play a big role,' he said. 'At the end of the day, we know the Americans are still coming over, and we know our domestic visitation, because of the patriotism that Canadians have shown, is going to increase. So, we're optimistic that it's going to happen.' A Conference Board of Canada report released May 29 finds fewer Canadians are making plans to travel into the U.S. at all. Just 27.1 per cent said they're likely to visit the U.S. in the next few years, down from 53.2 per cent last fall. The think tank estimates that shift could redirect up to $8.8 billion into Canada's domestic tourism sector this year, as more Canadians cancel U.S. trips and stay closer to home. At the same time, American visitors to Canada are also declining, with a 10.7 per cent drop in land arrivals in April. - Written by Rusty Thomson/AM800 News.
