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Promoting tourism in southwestern Ontario amid a pandemic is not an easy task, but Joanne Wolnik is ready to address it.
Author of the article:
• Reporter for the local journalism initiative 
Joanne Wolnik takes over the management of Southwest Ontario Tourism Corp. She has been the agency’s senior manager for eight years and most recently headed tourism development. Photo from Submitted Photo
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Promoting tourism in southwestern Ontario amid a pandemic is not an easy task, but Joanne Wolnik is ready to address it.
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Wolnik takes over the management of Southwest Ontario Tourism Corp. this month. (SWOTC) announced the organization.
She succeeds Jim Hudson, who for nearly 10 years ran the nonprofit that worked with tourism stakeholders and communities to boost tourism in the area.
“It’s a strong and resilient industry that is going through a lot of changes,” said Wolnik. “I’m excited to see where our regional tourism organization can make an impact and boost the industry while we go through these changes.”
“We know people are going to move and we know that after 16 months of pandemic, people want to travel,” she said. “We want… Invite them to the region to safely participate in meaningful experiences that our tourism companies are currently offering.”
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Wolnik has been a senior SWOTC manager for eight years and most recently headed tourism development. She has led various projects including the Experience Tourism Development Program Unlocked and Inspired and the Tourism Adaptation Fund.
“This is a unique time to transition to a new executive director and we have been in such good hands with Jim Hudson for the past decade,” said Susan Judd, chairman of the organization’s board of directors.
“To have the opportunity to start with someone in this position who is ready and willing to take on the challenges that lie ahead. . . the tourism industry is really exciting. “
The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Canadian government
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