Destination Ontario Closes Barrie Centre, Shifts to Online Services

The end of an era has arrived for the Destination Ontario building in Barrie, which is closing its doors on March 7, 2024. Formerly known as the Ontario Travel Information Centre, this facility has provided vital assistance to both local residents and visitors for decades. While the physical location will cease operations, online assistance will continue to be available.

Visitors using the in-person service expressed their disappointment about the closure. “Because we are strangers to this place, we don’t know anything about the culture or how to get from point A to point B; it’s just everything. I think it’s going to be a real shame,” said Sheena Hobbs, who is visiting from Spain. Many international travellers rely on such centres for guidance, and Hobbs’ sentiment reflects a broader concern among users.

In a statement released on the same day, Destination Ontario announced a transition aimed at modernizing its service model. “To better reflect how travellers plan and take their trips, we’re gradually transitioning six of our nine Ontario Tourism Information Centres from traditional physical locations to more dynamic and modernized service models,” the statement read. The centres in Barrie, Hawkesbury, Niagara Falls, Tilbury, Toronto, and Windsor are all part of this change.

The Barrie centre, which was built in 1994 following a requirement for the province to relocate it for highway expansion, has been instrumental in helping visitors navigate the city and surrounding regions. Many visitors were unaware of the impending closure, including Anja Hoffmann, who hails from Germany. “I just said in the car that I love these visitor centres; they are usually very, very helpful in getting around and getting all the information,” Hoffmann remarked.

The closure places additional pressure on Tourism Barrie, which is committed to filling the service gap left by the centre. The organization reports receiving over one million online visits each year, indicating a strong demand for travel information. “Tourism Barrie will step up our services, and you’ll probably see more residents coming in looking for information on their trips throughout Ontario,” said Kathleen Trainor, Executive Director of Tourism Barrie.

While some centres will close, Destination Ontario assures travellers that they will still have access to trip-planning assistance via phone by calling 1-800-ONTARIO. Notably, locations in Pigeon River, Sault Ste. Marie, and Bainsville will remain operational, providing a lifeline for those seeking in-person guidance.

As the tourism landscape evolves, the shift towards online services marks a significant change in how visitors access information about Ontario. The transition reflects broader trends in travel and tourism, where digital solutions are increasingly favored. However, the sentiment expressed by many visitors underscores the importance of personal interaction in navigating new destinations.