Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

GRAVENHURST — ’Tis the season in Muskoka.

After this week receiving a share of $567,000 in Airbnb FIFA World Cup funds for community soccer improvements (see story below) Explorers’ Edge, Tourism Gravenhurst, and the Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce are working to further strengthen the Gateway to Muskoka’s visitor economy.

Tomorrow, June 4, at Taboo Resort they are sharing their plan for “experience-led tourism development, bookable packages, business collaboration and research-driven decision-making.”

They say the goal is helping local Gravenhurst tourism businesses develop new visitor experiences that encourage overnight stays, increase visitor spending, support shoulder-season visitation, and create stronger connections between local tourism operators, accommodations, attractions, and experience providers.

It focuses on:

Developing market-ready tourism experiences and bookable packages

Encouraging collaboration between accommodations, attractions, restaurants, retailers, and experience providers

Supporting businesses through co-creation and capacity-building sessions

Aligning local funding, marketing, and destination development opportunities

Using research tools such as visitor exit surveys, occupancy insights, geofencing, website analytics, and sales outcomes to better understand tourism impact

Creating a clearer picture of visitor behaviour, business opportunities, and future tourism investment needs

They invite tourism operators, accommodators, attractions, retailers, restaurants and experience-providers who play a key role in shaping the direction of this work.

“Business participation will help identify existing tourism products and experiences that could be packaged, new partnership opportunities between local businesses, visitor experience gaps, marketing and sales priorities, and ways to encourage longer stays and off-peak visitation” they say.

“It’s about bringing Gravenhurst’s tourism strengths together in a more coordinated and strategic way. By connecting businesses, research, marketing, transportation opportunities, and bookable experiences, the partnership aims to support measurable tourism outcomes while helping Gravenhurst continue to grow as a compelling destination for visitors throughout the year.”

Contact James Murphy, CEO of Explorers’ Edge at james@explorersedge.ca

Jennifer Montpetit, director of strategic partnerships and development, Explorers’ Edge, at jennifer@explorersedge.ca

Or Meghan Pratt, executive director of the Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce, at 705-687-4432 or info@gravenhurstchamber.com

FIFA Airbnb World Cup funding

for Bracebridge, Gravenhurst

While the world Cup matches will be played on big stadium pitches Bracebridge and Gravenhurst have scored a permanent piece of the tournament’s legacy in Muskoka.

Airbnb announced its Host City Impact Program is investing $567,000 across four Ontario communities to upgrade soccer infrastructure and programming.

At Bracebridge:

They will help replacing aging lighting at Randy Gostick Park with energy-efficient, 25-year LED systems.

In Gravenhurst: 

It will receive upgrades, new gear, and subsidized registration to make youth soccer fully accessible.

Elsewhere, Niagara-on-the-Lake will see revitalizing the Virgil Sports Park community meeting space and adding spectator infrastructure. And Prince Edward County they will be building a permanent, long-awaited clubhouse facility for the PEC Soccer Association.

The announcement was at Queen’s Park and included Ontario’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming Stan Cho, who was recently in Muskoka aboard the Wenonah II for the Muskoka Tourism AGM and business awards ceremonies.

Bracebridge Mayor Rick Maloney said in the press release about the FIFA World Cup Impact Program:

“This investment through the Airbnb FIFA World Cup 2026 Impact Program is an exciting opportunity for Bracebridge and our local soccer community.

“Randy Gostick Park is an important recreational hub where athletes of all ages come together to play, compete and connect. Upgrading the field lighting with modern LED technology will improve the experience for users, reduce energy consumption and support the Town’s long-term climate and infrastructure goals.

“We are grateful to Airbnb for recognizing the value of community recreation spaces and for investing in projects that leave a lasting legacy well beyond the tournament.”

And Gravenhurst’s mayor Heidi Lorenz added: “On behalf of council and staff, I want to say how grateful we are for this generous contribution to our community. This will make a difference in so many lives in terms of skill development and healthy living. This is definitely a win for Gravenhurst.”

This as Gravenhurst is considering redeveloping its sports field

at the Muskoka Wharf with a new study underway by a consultant.

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