Wawa's taking a different approach to tourism this year - and into the future.
While the Tourist Information Centre is closed for the season amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson explains the Municipality's decided to "transform" some positions there is normally funding for, making them "tourism ambassadors".
Patterson emphasizes these positions will not only provide travellers with information but also help people travel in the area in a safe way, advertise the community, and gather information on the people coming through the area, to inform future tourism activities.
This comes as the Municipality's also looking into how to transform local tourism, as Patterson says the pandemic's caused a shift from American tourists to Canadians - to a higher volume than expected - and it's expected to leave "a new reality", requiring a change in Wawa's tourism marketing.
Patterson notes data gathered by the tourism ambassadors will help develop a plan as the Municipality considers its role in encouraging tourism sector recovery over the next several years.