About Us
Founded in 2007, Explore Waterloo Region is the Destination Marketing Organization for Waterloo Region, representing the cities of Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo, as well as the townships of North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot, and Woolwich.
Located in the heart of southwestern Ontario, this vibrant destination blends rural charm with urban energy, offering a refreshing mix of outdoor adventures, vibrant festivals, and unforgettable local experiences.
Explore Waterloo Region drives tourism revenue growth by collaborating with industry partners, event organizers, and government stakeholders to showcase the area’s strengths, from diverse leisure offerings to its capacity for hosting world-class meetings, sport and esports events, and group travel.
Here, innovation and tradition play side by side — and curiosity is always rewarded.
Explore Waterloo Region is pleased to sponsor the Waterloo Region Tourism Master Plan
Tourism is an important contributor to the local economy. It drives almost 5 million visitors to our region annually, resulting in $557 million in spending. In addition to supporting local employment, the tax dollars associated with this spending are reinvested into such things as education, healthcare, and housing. The Waterloo Region tourism brand helps create an identity for the area and assists in attracting people that may not only wish to visit, but may decide to live, work, invest, or send their children to school here.
The Waterloo Region Tourism Master Plan provides a roadmap for the future of the region’s visitor economy by 2030. The goal of this roadmap is to position Waterloo Region as one of Ontario’s most dynamic and connected destinations for the leisure, business events, and sport hosting markets.
Collaboration will be critical to the success of the Waterloo Region Tourism Master Plan. While Explore Waterloo Region will take the lead role in coordinating the various elements of the plan and the tracking of its implementation, its overall success will require close cooperation between the Region of Waterloo, municipalities, townships and Explore Waterloo Region, as well as many tourism industry stakeholders and economic development partners.
Find out more about the Waterloo Region Tourism Master Plan by using the link below.
Destination Marketing Accreditation Program
Explore Waterloo Region is proud to have accreditation from the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP), an international accreditation program developed by the Washington, DC-based Destinations International (DI). In earning the DMAP accreditation, Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) communicate to their community, buyers, and potential visitors that their DMO has attained a significant measure of excellence.
For additional information on DMAP, visit their website
Explore Waterloo Region is recognized as the leading force within the Region’s tourism industry, inspiring growth through destination marketing and destination development.
Meet the Board
Tracy Van Kalsbeek Chair Executive Director, Uptown Waterloo Business Improvement Area Tracy has spent most of …
Meet the Staff
Michele Saran Chief Executive [email protected] Allister Scorgie Director of Sport [email protected] Jennifer Eddings Director of Business …