OTEC is the recognized leader for destination-based customer service and management training.  Since 1991, we have been helping destinations develop their brand while attracting, retaining and developing high performing employees.

Organizations that embrace our philosophy that positive people create positive visitor experiences, understand that employing professionally trained service providers and employees stimulates excitement and demand for everything your regional tourism destination has to offer.
 
As the administrator and certifying body for national emerit^® tourism and hospitality occupation standards and certifications for the province of Ontario, OTEC is the tourism industry’s representative on the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council (CTHRC) and works to ensure that tourism remains a consistent priority for future development.

Working through a network of over 80 partner organizations, OTEC has delivered award-winning training and development programs to nearly 50,000 people within Ontario’s tourism sector. Our partners include tourism associations, destination marketing and management organizations (DMMOs) and Chambers of Commerce, 200 community serving agencies, 320 high schools, 25 public and private career colleges, and 6 universities that are committed to service excellence.

To achieve international competitiveness for Ontario’s tourism sector, the industry must develop a culture of service excellence and adopt occupational standards to guide both employers and employees within the industry. OTEC works with Regional Tourism Organizations to deliver unique and cost-effective training solutions that contribute toward a quality tourism workforce within each of Ontario’s 13 tourism regions. Click here to view OTEC's workforce development solutions for the Regional Tourism Organizations.

For more information about OTEC’s award-winning training solutions or workforce development initiatives for the Tourism and Hospitality sector, please contact please contact Wendy Paradis, Vice President of Client Services at wparadis@otec.org or call 416-622-1975 ext. 212.

 

“Our Tourism workforce is the first face of Ontario the visitors see.  To be an international
Player, we must be renowned for our service culture demonstrated by a quality workforce.”

The Ontario Tourism Competitiveness Study
Greg Sorbara, Chair