Travel & Tourism
Visitors attracted to Greater Ontario with new guide
Destination Marketing Organization produces Official Visitors Guide
Wednesday, August 21, 2019 (Ontario, California) The Greater Ontario Convention & Visitors Bureau (GOCVB) has announced the arrival of its newly redesigned Official Visitors Guide. “Since its inception in 2013, the GOCVB’s mission is to develop and expand the Greater Ontario Brand, elevate the impression of the destination as a perfect location to take advantage of all Southern California has to offer and deliver positive economic impact” said Michael Krouse, President & CEO of Greater Ontario Convention & Visitors Bureau.
As the official destination marketing organization, the GOCVB has recently ended the fiscal year of 2018-2019 with an overall economic impact of $51,953,760. Representing the cities of Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga, the GOCVB is solely funded through the Greater Ontario Tourism Marketing District. A leisure traveler or meeting planner can choose economy to full-service from over 6,000 hotel rooms in Greater Ontario, enjoy several entertainment venues, a shopper’s paradise and a diverse, multi-cultural restaurant scene.
Through the tourism marketing district funding, the GOCVB has been able to:
· Design a new Official Visitor Guide
· Build a new, tourism friendly website – Gocvb.org
· Produce a new destination marketing video
· Build and Operate the 2nd most visited California Welcome Center in the State of California
· Domestic and international outreach via co-op advertising opportunities
· Represent Greater Ontario at tradeshows, conferences, conventions, sales missions and industry events
· Host international and domestic FAM trips
· Partner with Ontario International Airport in supporting airline route development
The Bureau takes pride in their efforts that has elevated Greater Ontario to a recognizable destination, a leader in the industry and as a very strong alternative market to Los Angeles and Orange County that is no longer being confused with “Ontario, Canada”. The first five-year strategic plan has been successful in completing the goals of delivering economic impact, curating a portfolio of experiences, repositioning and enhancing the brand, plus building capabilities in a performance culture.
Recently the “I AM” Greater Ontario educational program was rolled out with approval by the steering committee of destination experts. Starting in September of 2019, this interactive classroom experience and bus tour will be provided at no cost to front of house staff, guest services, sales and others in the hospitality industry to ensure a consistent message to welcome visitors, knowledgeable about “must visit” sites and elevate the overall guest experience.
As they say in real estate, “location, location, location” centrally situated where two interstates meet, in less than one hour in any direction, Greater Ontario provides visitors easy access to the deserts, mountain resorts, alpine lakes, Southern California wine country and beaches, Disneyland Park, Universal Studios and Hollywood. Visitors can make Greater Ontario their home base and take advantage of hotels offering great amenities, affordable rates and free parking.
Ontario International Airport (ONT), the fastest growing airport in the U.S. according to Global Traveler has added numerous non-stop flights including New York, Orlando, Atlanta, Houston, San Francisco and Taipei making it easier to fly in and out of Ontario.
The new Official Visitor Guide is available to download or via mail from the website at GOcvb.org, In addition the guide and information about the statewide and local tourism destinations is available at the California Welcome Center in Fashion Alley at Ontario Mills.
ABOUT GREATER ONTARIO CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
The Greater Ontario Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization to promote the cities of Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga, California to visitors nationally and internationally. As destination experts we provide leisure, meeting groups and meeting professionals with an unbiased, comprehensive resource when booking a tour, convention, meeting or event within the cities of Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga, California. Ideal for leisure and business travel, the region boasts scenic mountains, deserts, vineyards and metropolitan areas that are both historic and cosmopolitan in character. Under the umbrella of the Greater Ontario Convention & Visitors Bureau is the California Welcome Center and several Signature Events to support the overall mission to drive visitors to the region. The Greater Ontario Convention & Visitors Bureau provides the necessary destination support tools to execute a successful experience. Visit www.GOcvb.org.
Transportation
SMART Airports Conference to bring airport leaders and innovators from around the world to Ontario, California
Ontario International Airport and Southern California’s dynamic Inland Empire will be on the global stage next week as aviation leaders from around the world gather for the 2022 SMART Airports & Regions Conference.
Ontario International Airport (ONT) and Southern California’s dynamic Inland Empire will be on the global stage next week as aviation leaders from around the world gather for the 2022 SMART Airports & Regions Conference – one of the aviation industry’s largest and most prestigious annual events.
The three-day conference opens Monday, July 18, at the Ontario Convention Center, and will focus on topics ranging from how aviation can inspire new economic opportunities in a post-pandemic world to the role of airports as incubators for innovation in urban development and regional connectivity.
“Ontario and the Inland Empire are an ideal location for this global gathering. We have one of the fastest-growing airports in the world, in the heart of one of the most robust population and economic centers in the U.S. And when it comes to innovative multimodal transportation solutions, no region can match what’s being done here to redefine mobility and access while creating new economic development opportunities,” said Alan D. Wapner, President of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) and Mayor pro Tem of the City of Ontario.
The SMART Airport & Regions Conference is being co-hosted by ONT and the Greater Ontario Convention & Visitors Bureau (GOCVB). Among the more than 50 speakers and presenters will be several leaders from the two organizations, including Wapner, OIAA Commissioners Ron Loveridge and Curt Hagman, the airport’s Chief Executive Officer Atif Elkadi, Chief Capital Development Officer Michelle Brantley and Chief Commercial Officer Dan Cappell, and GOCVB President and CEO Michael Krouse.
The event comes as ONT is in the midst of a historic run that has seen travel volumes exceed pre-pandemic levels for three months in a row, including, in May, the highest number of passengers since the airport’s return to local ownership in 2016. For the past four years, ONT has been recognized by Global Traveler as the fastest-growing airport in the United States, and its role as an economic driver and preferred aviation gateway for millions of Southern Californians is helping to drive significant transit investments across the region. Upcoming projects include zero-emission bus-rapid transit, hydrogen-powered passenger rail and an all-electric-vehicle tunnel from a planned state-of-the-art multimodal transit center.
In addition, ONT plays a critical role in the Inland Empire’s emergence as a global goods movement hub, and today ranks among the Top 10 cargo airports in North America.
“We have a great story to tell – here at ONT and across this great region we serve. The Inland Empire is now the 12th largest – and fifth fastest-growing – metropolitan area in the U.S., with a quality of life that is unmatched. We’ve prepared ourselves to meet those growth needs, while preserving the convenience and positive customer experience that have become our hallmark,” said Elkadi, ONT’s CEO.
“We are thrilled to host this event at Ontario Convention Center and to expose the world-wide attendees to the heart of Southern California’s Inland Experience! Our Convention & Visitors Bureau is here to welcome our visitors and provide information on the amenities and destinations in our region,” said Krouse, GOCVB’s President & CEO.
While the SMART Airports & Regions Conference officially opens on Monday, programs and presentations begin Tuesday. A complete agenda is available here.
Travel & Tourism
Ontario International Airport passenger volumes beat pre-pandemic levels for fourth straight month in June
Southern California gateway reported 2.6 million passengers year to date, signaling full recovery is at hand
Once again, Ontario International Airport exceeded pre-pandemic passenger volumes for the fourth consecutive month. More than half a million airline passengers traveled through Ontario International Airport (ONT) in June, almost 8% more than the same month in 2019 and the fourth consecutive month the Southern California gateway has exceeded pre-pandemic passenger levels.
Ontario International reported 514,000 total passengers last month, almost 20% more than June last year. Domestic travelers totaled 496,691 in June, increases of 10% and 18% compared with June 2019 and 2021, respectively.
On a year-to-date basis, ONT recorded 2.6 million passengers, 2.6% higher than the first half of 2019 and 60% more than the same period last year. Domestic travelers, who continue to drive ONT’s resurgence, totaled more than 2.5 million from January through June.
“Ontario International’s performance this year shows what full recovery looks like and we couldn’t be happier for it,” said Alan D. Wapner, president of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) Board of Commissioners and Mayor pro Tem for the City of Ontario. “With demand for air travel through ONT growing month after month, we are ramping up for more air service by opening all of our 27 aircraft terminal gates, providing travelers the seamless, efficient experience they’ve come to expect.”
“We have worked tirelessly since the onset of the pandemic to be ready for a resurgence in air travel, and airlines and air passengers are showing their faith in Ontario as we continue to deliver a first-rate and stress-free customer experience,” said OIAA Chief Executive Officer Atif Elkadi.
Air cargo shipments by weight grew more than 14% compared with June 2019. The nearly 72,000 tons which moved through ONT in June were almost equal to the same month last year.
For the first six months of the year, cargo tonnage was 12% higher than the same period in 2019.
“Ontario International continues to be a tremendous public asset for the Inland Empire, setting the pace for pandemic recovery among U.S. airports while offering appealing facilities and cost-efficient services to our airline and shipping partners,” Wapner said.
Travel & Tourism
FAA Awards Ontario International Airport another $10.77 million for taxiway, airfield improvements
Ontario International Airport has received an additional $10.77 million in infrastructure funding from the FAA.
Ontario International Airport will receive another $10.77 million from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to invest in infrastructure improvements at the aviation gateway of choice for millions of Southern Californians.
The FAA announced this week that it is awarding a total of $518 million to airports across the country, under its 2022 Airport Improvement Program. ONT will receive the largest amount within California – for taxiway improvements and expanding the lighting vault that serves the airport’s runways.
The announcement comes less than a year after ONT was awarded $12.68 million through the FAA and the American Rescue Plan Act for taxiway and runway improvements.
“I’m grateful to our staff for preparing a successful funding application and to the FAA for continuing to bring infrastructure and airfield improvement dollars to the fastest-growing passenger airport in the U.S.,” said Alan D. Wapner, President of the Ontario International Airport Authority Board of Commissioners and Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Ontario.
ONT has been one of the aviation industry’s great success stories, eclipsing pre-pandemic passenger volumes and ranking among the Top 10 cargo airports in North America. The airport also plays a critical role in the Inland Empire’s emergence as one of the fastest-growing population centers in the United States and a global supply chain hub.
“In communities of all sizes, airports are vital to local economies, sustaining jobs and getting people and goods where they need to go,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, in announcing this week’s funding awards. “We’re pleased to announce this important funding to help improve airports around the country and better serve all Americans.”
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