Destination Development Coordinator - Tourism Sarnia-Lambton

The Corporation of the County of Lambton•Point Edward, ON

2d•CA$26 - CA$32•Onsite

About The Position

Tourism Sarnia-Lambton is the Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for Lambton County, dedicated to fostering tourism growth through partnerships, programs, and initiatives. The Destination Development Coordinator plays a key role in advancing this vision by supporting tourism businesses, developing visitor experiences, engaging industry partners, and implementing strategic destination development initiatives. This role involves working closely with tourism operators, municipalities, and community stakeholders to enhance visitor experiences, identify development opportunities, strengthen industry capacity, and promote sustainable tourism across Lambton County. The coordinator acts as a liaison between Tourism Sarnia-Lambton and regional stakeholders, assisting with destination planning, product development, industry education, research, and partnership initiatives.

Requirements

Diploma or Degree in Tourism Management, Business Administration, Economic Development, Recreation & Leisure Studies, Community Development, Marketing (Tourism Focus), or a related field.
2–5 years experience in tourism, economic development, destination development, community development, event management, or stakeholder relations preferred.
Experience working with multiple stakeholders and community partners.
Knowledge of tourism industry trends and destination management principles.
Experience coordinating projects and initiatives.
Strong public speaking and presentation skills.
Relationship building and stakeholder engagement.
Project management.
Event coordination.
Tourism industry knowledge.
Strategic thinking and problem solving.
Strong written and verbal communication.
Report writing and research.
Microsoft Office Suite proficiency.
Valid Ontario driver's license and ability to travel throughout Lambton County.

Responsibilities

Identify opportunities for new tourism products, experiences, itineraries, and packages throughout Lambton County.
Work with tourism operators to enhance existing visitor experiences.
Assist businesses in developing tourism-ready products and services.
Support the creation and expansion of themed tourism trails, experiences, and destination initiatives.
Identify tourism development gaps and opportunities through industry consultation.
Support implementation of Tourism Sarnia-Lambton's destination development priorities.
Maintain strong working relationships with tourism operators, municipalities, chambers of commerce, BIAs, economic development offices, and community organizations.
Conduct regular site visits with tourism businesses and attractions.
Serve as a resource for tourism operators regarding industry trends, best practices, and funding opportunities.
Coordinate tourism industry networking opportunities and stakeholder engagement sessions.
Support municipal tourism initiatives and collaborative projects.
Coordinate tourism workshops, training sessions, and educational opportunities.
Assist operators in improving visitor readiness and service excellence.
Promote industry best practices and emerging tourism trends.
Support workforce development initiatives within the tourism sector.
Encourage industry participation in regional and provincial tourism programs.
Monitor tourism trends, visitor preferences, and industry developments.
Conduct tourism asset inventories and gap analyses.
Assist with tourism research projects and destination development studies.
Prepare reports and recommendations related to tourism growth opportunities.
Support implementation of organizational strategic priorities.
Plan and coordinate familiarization (FAM) tours for tourism stakeholders, media, travel trade representatives, and industry partners.
Develop itineraries that showcase the region's tourism assets and experiences.
Coordinate industry showcases and tourism awareness initiatives.