Auto & RV Touring Self-Assessment Tool for Communities

Self-Assessment completed by:*
Community representatives (e.g. municipal staff, city staff etc.) and touring route organizers are best to complete this self-assessment. Remember, the results of this assessment are for you and those you choose to share with. If there are questions that, in your opinion, don't have clear answers -- it may help you to jot down some notes to further explain or flesh out your answers. Think of your notes as supplemental self-assessment information that may prompt change or provoke discussion about the touring route in question.
Title/Position:*
Business Name:*
Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code
Date*
Phone*
Email*
A copy of your completed self-assessment will be emailed to the address you provide.
Name of Touring Route you are assessing:
It is best to assess only 1 Touring Route at a time. Consider assessing the route during different seasons (e.g. Spring vs Fall).
Please be advised that completed self-assessments are stored on Destination Northern Ontario’s database. Your business/personal information is protected under Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) with results kept confidential and only shared within DNO for the purpose of providing insights into needs and trends in product, training and workforce development initiatives and will not be used for anything outside this purpose. For any questions, please contact Karen Peacock, Senior Coordinator, Industry Training at k.peacock@destinationnorthernontario.ca.
A note on your responses: When you receive your completed Self-Assessment (emailed to you after you click the submit button), pay special attention to any 'Does Not Meet' selections. These are opportunities for improvement. Ideally, you want to see all 'Exceeds' or 'Meets' selections.
Key Practices for Working in Auto & RV Touring Routes
General Practices
3 Questions
1. Community has completed Tourism Excellence North’s Visitor Appeal Assessment Tool and Community Tourism Assessment Index.*
The Visitor Appeal Assessment Tool is a standalone TEN self-assessment tool that evaluates the visitor experience of your tourism product.
2. Community has completed Tourism Excellence North’s 10 Essentials of Successful Touring Routes.*
3. Community is involved with its local or regional Destination Marketing Organization, other communities along the touring route, Destination Northern Ontario and tourism partners within their cluster on product development, marketing and/or training initiatives.*
Legal Practices
4 Questions
1. Community has a minimum of $2 million liability insurance. A higher amount of liability insurance may be required depending on the event (i.e. level of risk, alcohol involved, etc.). Inquire with insurance provider to ensure correct coverage and amount.*
2. Community complies with all municipal, provincial and federal health and safety laws and regulations for their business operation.*
3. Community has prepared and reviewed a written occupational health and safety policy and has developed and maintained a program to implement that policy. All postings and training requirements have been met.*
4. Community meets or exceeds the minimum requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the AODA’s Design for Public Spaces Standard.*
Operations
7 Questions
‘Operators’ and ‘Operating staff’ refer to tourism business owners and staff of businesses along touring routes.
1. Communities or destinations along the touring route engage and work with businesses and organizations to offer attractions, restaurants, retail, gas stations and auto repair nearby the route even in shoulder seasons. At least some restaurants offer local food and beverage options and/or food and beverages that have roots in local cultural/history.
2. Communities or destinations along the touring route offer scenic lookouts and pull-offs, reasons to encourage people to slow down and take some pictures, take extra time.*
3. Communities and destinations along the touring route offer travel information centres.*
4. Operating staff are knowledgeable, can provide local itinerary planning, advice using printed guide materials and are aware of rest stops and services in their community/immediate area as well as the route in general (e.g. attractions, gas station, parts/maintenance, grocery store and liquor store hours).*
5. There are signed routes in and out of proposed business areas.*
6. Communities or destinations along the route support festivals and events, especially during shoulder seasons to encourage traffic.*
7. Communities or destinations along the touring route offer public washrooms that are safe and clean.*
Marketing
4 Questions
1. The Auto/RV touring route has a defined brand that is strong, consistent and attractive.*
2. Materials have been developed (e.g. printed guides and maps, as well as electronic versions and/or apps) highlighting local attractions, events, and things to do. Municipalities, accommodations, service provides, etc. partner to provide these materials.*
3. Materials are distributed via visitor information centres, accommodations and other service providers, and staff are well-trained about attractions along the entire route and not just their immediate location.*
4. Community or destination actively promotes route on social media, updates website as needed and promptly responds to and engages with visitors and general enquiries.*
Congratulations! You've come to the end of the self-assessment. Once you click 'Submit' your completed self-assessment will be emailed to the address that you provided at the start of this form.
You will also receive suggestions on how to use the data from your completed self-assessment AND a list of online resources for organizations and regulations that appeared in this self-assessment.

Auto & RV Touring Self-Assessment Tool for Communities

Key Practices for Working in Auto & RV Touring Routes

General Practices

Legal Practices

Operations

Marketing

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