Explorers’ Edge is opening the conversation about what comes next for tourism in the region, inviting businesses, community partners and tourism stakeholders to share their experiences, priorities and ideas through the Fall 2026 Business Confidence Survey and a series of community sessions taking place November 3 and 4.
Together, the two initiatives are intended to provide both the data and the dialogue needed to help inform the organization’s planning and priorities heading into 2027.
The Fall Business Confidence Survey asks tourism operators about what they experienced through the spring, summer and fall seasons, including bookings, revenues, visitor spending, staffing, operating pressures and their outlook for the months ahead. The survey also explores where businesses see opportunities and where additional marketing, destination development, research, partnership or advocacy support may be needed.
That information will help set the stage for the upcoming community conversations.
“Being accountable to the tourism industry means more than reporting back on what we have done. It means creating meaningful opportunities for businesses and communities to influence what we do next,” said James Murphy, CEO of Explorers’ Edge. “We have research and data available to us, but numbers alone don’t tell the entire story. We need to hear directly from the people operating businesses, employing people, welcoming visitors and working in communities across this region.”
From Data to Dialogue
Explorers’ Edge will host community sessions in Gravenhurst and Parry Sound on November 3, followed by Huntsville and Burk’s Falls on November 4. The sessions are designed to bring regional partners together to hear what Explorers’ Edge has been working on, share information and research, and, importantly, gather perspectives on where the organization and the visitor economy should go next.
The conversations will include updates on destination development initiatives, visitor research and intelligence, community partnerships and emerging opportunities across the region.
They will also create space for questions, candid feedback and ideas from those working directly within the visitor economy.
“We want to continue opening the organization up,” Murphy said. “That means sharing what we know, being transparent about the work underway, hearing where we may need to adjust and creating more opportunities for collaboration. We should be able to explain why we are investing in certain areas and demonstrate that those decisions are informed by what the industry is actually experiencing.”
Helping Inform the Next Business Plan
Results from the Fall Business Confidence Survey, together with feedback gathered during the community sessions and Explorers’ Edge’s broader visitor and destination research, will help inform the organization’s upcoming planning process.
The survey is open until November 4, 2026 and takes approximately five minutes to complete.
One participating business will also be selected to receive an Explorers’ Edge Business Awareness Package valued at approximately $1,500, with support potentially including photography, video, content creation or promotion tailored to the selected business. The package is not a cash prize or credit; Explorers’ Edge will determine the scope of the investment based on the selected business and opportunity.
Businesses can learn more and complete the survey here:
Fall 2026 Business Confidence Survey: https://explorersedge.ca/resources/fall-2026-business-confidence-survey/
Tourism businesses, community organizations, municipal partners and others interested in the regional visitor economy can also find information and register for a community session here:
2026 Community Sessions: https://explorersedge.ca/events/community-sessions-2026/
“Good planning starts with listening,” Murphy added. “The more voices we have at the table, the more confident we can be that the work we take forward reflects the realities, opportunities and ambitions of the tourism industry we are here to serve.”
