End of era after Destination Ontario building in Barrie closes

It’s the end of an era for the Destination Ontario building in Barrie, formerly known as the Ontario Travel Information Centre.

CTV News has learned the building is shutting down Thursday. However, online assistance will still be available.

People using the in-person service say they’re disappointed to hear the news.

“Because we are strangers to this place, we don’t know anything about the culture or how to get from point A to point B; it’s just everything. I think it’s going to be a real shame,” said Sheena Hobbs, visiting from Spain.

Destination Ontario released a statement Thursday saying, “To better reflect how travellers plan and take their trips, we’re gradually transitioning six of our nine Ontario Tourism Information Centres from traditional physical locations to more dynamic and modernized service models.”

The organization says the centres in Barrie, Hawkesbury, Niagara Falls, Tilbury, Toronto, and Windsor are closing as part of this shift.

The Barrie centre has helped both local residents and visitors navigate their way through the city, cottage country, and beyond for decades.

The current building was constructed in 1994 after the province required it to move to its current location to make room for a highway expansion.

Staff say they assist many out-of-town and international visitors every day, most of whom were unaware of the closure.

“I just said in the car that I love these visitor centres; they are usually very, very helpful in getting around and getting all the information. We really enjoy these travel visitor centres because they know everything,” said Anja Hoffmann, visiting from Germany.

The closures will put added pressure on Tourism Barrie, which says it will work to fill the gap. The organization notes it already receives more than one million online visits each year.

“Tourism Barrie will step up our services, and you’ll probably see more residents coming in looking for information on their trips throughout Ontario,” said Kathleen Trainor, Executive Director of Tourism Barrie.

Destination Ontario says travellers will still be able to access trip-planning help by calling 1-800-ONTARIO. Its locations in Pigeon River, Sault Ste. Marie, and Bainsville will remain.