Here’s How Mississauga is Working to Attract More Tourists

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Published August 7, 2019 at 5:00 pm

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City council is making moves to put Mississauga on the map.

At a meeting last month, council approved plans to create the Tourism Municipal Services Corporation (Tourism MSC) whose mission it will be to promote Mississauga as a tourism destination.

“Tourism is a major driver for local economies in cities across the country, including Mississauga, Canada’s sixth-largest city,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “It generates revenue, provides good jobs and keeps our city open for business.”

The Tourism MSC will allow Mississauga to have an independent non-profit organization that will be eligible to receive Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) funds as required by provincial legislation.

In 2017, the province introduced regulations permitting municipalities to implement a Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT). This law went into effect on April 1, 2018, and the legislation requires 50 per cent of the MAT funds collected by a municipality be directed to an eligible non-profit organization.

Paul Mitcham, the commissioner of Community of Services, Gary Kent, Commissioner of Corporate Services and Shari Lichterman, director of Recreation have been appointed the interim directors of the Tourism MSC.

The interim directors, in consultation with the Mississauga Tourism Advisory Board and city staff, will develop and bring back recommendations to council in late 2019 regarding governance, operations and required elements to bring the Tourism MSC to full operation.

“The Tourism Advisory Board is excited to take this next step in growing tourism in Mississauga,” said Pat Saito, Ward 9 councillor and Chair of the Mississauga Tourism Advisory Board. “The new organization will implement our Tourism Master Plan and take us to the next level as a popular destination.”

In the past, the city has partnered with Tourism Toronto to advance tourism programs on a smaller scale. More recently, though, it’s become apparent the city requires a destination marketing organization of its own.

“Having a strong independent corporation will allow us to develop our city as a destination that will continue to thrive and attract large multicultural festivals, said Lichterman.

Lichterman is hopeful that the Tourism MSC will stimulate sports tourism and attract large-scale sporting events like the Ontario Summer Games and the 55+ Summer Games.

“This new organization will allow us to attract more tourism and encourage visitors to explore all that our great city has to offer,” said Crombie. “From our sprawling waterfront to cultural festivals, sports teams, live music, creative arts, dining and more, there is so much to see and do in Mississauga.”

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