Update: Evaluation of the 2021 Tourism Management Plan is complete. Staff will bring a series of reports and recommendations to Council leading up to the 2022 tourism season.

Staff collected and analyzed operational, program and financial data, conducted interviews with external partners and internal staff, and solicited feedback from the public as part of this evalution.

The Tourism Management Plan Evaluation survey is now closed. A report was presented to Committee of the Whole on November 10. The report and video discussion is linked to the right.

Tourism business operators are also encouraged to complete a survey initiated by Visit The County. This survey is hosted on Survey Monkey and can be completed by clicking here.

Feedback from the public, along with the data points mentioned above will inform a staff report that will recommend next steps for tourism management in 2022 and beyond. This report will be presented to Council in late 2021.

Background on the Tourism Management Plan:

At the direction of Council, a Tourism Management Plan was developed to help address the challenges that result from summer visitors to Prince Edward County. The plan was developed by the Destination Development & Marketing Team in consultation with all relevant County departments, industry leaders and experts, community partners and more than 1,400 resident survey responses.

The draft Tourism Management Plan was presented to Committee of the Whole on January 28, 2021 and was ratified by Council over the course of several more detailed reports. (See the draft Tourism Management Plan in "documents" on the right)

The Tourism Management Plan was short-term in nature and will not directly address long-term issues of manageable growth or development of the tourism sector. The County is also undertaking a Destination Development Plan, looking 5-7 years in the future. For more information on that plan, see Related Projects on the right.

Tourism Management Plan Actions Endorsed by Council:

• Repeating the Sidewalk Patio program for Summer 2021.
• Reopening the Food Truck bylaw, with public consultations to commence in 2021.
• A wide-ranging plan for improved Visitor Services, including a "Plan Your Visit" campaign, improved Tourism Ambassador Training and improved navigational signage.
• Introducing a residents' day-use pass for Wellington Rotary Beach for weekend and holiday use. The pass entitles the holder (and their party) to free entry to the beach, although does not guarantee entry, which will be based on available capacity. Without a pass, admission is $10 per person. More info available here.
• Wellington's bulk water hauling station will be moved to the Wellington & District Community Centre.
• For safety and improved traffic management, Belleville Street Boat launch will close for the 2021 season.
• Launch hours at the Wellington Rotary Beach boat launch will be limited on weekends and holidays from May to September, with the ramp unavailable for launching from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (i.e. boats can exit the water at the launch during this time, but no boats may go in)
• Cooking devices of any kind are prohibited at Wellington Rotary Beach. Instead, a food truck will be procured for Summer 2021. There will be no "in and out" privileges.
• Boat launch users will now pay for parking, rather than use of a launch. Vehicles with a trailer will be charged $20; vehicles without will be charged $10. Users will pay via the McKay Pay app. Season's passes will be offered, and at a discount to residents.
• Paddle docks to assist paddlers in entering the water will be installed at two boat launches.
• Hibachi and charcoal barbecues, as well as open flames, are prohibited at all municipal parks and beaches. Propane barbecues are still permitted.
• Illegal camping will be more rigorously enforced, and will carry a fine of $500.
• Two hour limits on parking in the core of Wellington will be more rigorously enforced seven days a week from May to October.
• Illegal parking zones with a $400 fine will be enforced seven days a week from May to October. The parking by-law was amended in April, and again in July considering lessons learned and feedback from the public. Information on seasonal no-parking zones can be found on the Summer Hub Parking page.

Resources for Residents

Residents and ratepayers could access the Summer Hub pages on The County's website. This resource can help the community navigate the busy summer season and understand changes to services and amenities in the Tourism Management Plan.

Past Consultations and Info Sessions

• Periodic "check in" surveys with residents to solicit feedback throughout the summer.
• The County hosted a public information session on May 18. A recording of the session is available on The County's YouTube Channel.
• An information session for tourism operators was held May 18 at 10 a.m. via Zoom. Contact tourism@pecounty.on.ca for a recording of that session.
• An online resident survey about the Wellington Beach took place Feb. 12-26, 2021. Survey results can be found here.
• A resident survey about challenges related to tourism took place in October 2020. Survey results can be found here.