Visit Oakville Seeks Community Input for New Project That Aims to Increase Tourism

Organization asking residents and local businesses to complete a survey that will be used to shape a new brand narrative for the destination 

Oakville – Visit Oakville, the not-for-profit Destination Marketing Organization that represents the local tourism and business community, is embarking on a new initiative designed to increase visitation and spend, while also celebrating how and why Oakville is such a great place to live, work, and visit. As part of this project, it is looking for community input via a new survey that it is asking residents and local businesses to complete as a means of including as many perspectives as possible. 

Working with Bannikin, a Canadian-based consultancy, to research and develop a new brand narrative for the destination, the goal of the project is to identify and create storytelling opportunities that encapsulate Oakville’s unique identity. Rooted in research and developed together with the community, the narrative will streamline how Oakville presents itself as a tourism destination.  

“Oakville is more than just a location on a map; it is a vibrant community with a rich tapestry of history, culture, attractions, and opportunities,” says Rebecca Edgar, Executive Director for Visit Oakville. “To showcase the true essence of our town, a unifying narrative that encapsulates the unique character of Oakville is needed. A well-crafted destination narrative serves as a guiding light, shaping perceptions and inviting individuals to explore the community, while also being something all of us as residents and local businesses can see ourselves in. Put together, a strong and successful destination narrative will boost visitation and spend and enable our community to thrive even more.”  

The survey, which is open to all Oakville residents, industry, and visitors, can be accessed at: SurveyMonkey.com/r/OakvilleStorytelling. The survey will be live through Monday February 26, 2024, and only takes a couple of minutes to complete.  

Over the coming weeks, the Visit Oakville team and Bannikin representatives will be reaching out to various partners, local businesses, residents, visitors, and more seeking input through surveys and interviews as a means of weaving together the diverse threads that make destinations thrive, and Oakville specifically, shine.   

About Visit Oakville:

Visit Oakville is an incorporated, not-for-profit, destination marketing organization (DMO). It is led by a volunteer Board of Directors representing the local tourism and business community. Visit Oakville aims to drive economic impact through marketing and partnerships, curating visitor experiences and advocating on behalf of Oakville’s tourism industry. Learn more on VisitOakville.com.

About Bannikin: 

Bannikin is a purposeful company working within and beyond travel and tourism. We co-create value with client-partners, including businesses, various levels of government, industry associations, and not-for-profit organizations. We work across disciplines, with people and place at the centre of everything we do. Specializing in community-based participatory research and development, evidence-driven and actionable strategy, and outcome-oriented public relations, we are determined to be catalysts of change within tourism and beyond. To learn more, visit bannikin.com or connect with us on LinkedIn.