Discover Something New to Enjoy in Whitby

Whitby combines a small-town welcoming atmosphere with the amenities and diversity of a larger urban centre. The community boasts two heritage downtowns, one of the finest recreational harbours with an award-winning marina, Heber Down and Lynde Shores Conservation Areas and year-round sports and recreation activities. Whitby is home to wellness attraction Thermea Spa Village which welcomes 230,000 visitors per year and Whitby Entertainment Centrum, the largest entertainment complex east of Toronto which draws 1 million visitors annually. The Centrum’s attractions include iFly, Reptilia, Playdium, Aspire Climbing and Putting Edge. With over 200 events and festivals per year, a vibrant mix of culture, breweries, and thriving culinary scene, Whitby is becoming one of Ontario’s ultimate tourist destinations.

In 2023, Whitby Tourism wanted to ensure that residents and tourists were aware that of the countless ways to “Discover Something New to Enjoy” in Whitby. The tourism video was thoughtfully created to achieve two primary goals: to invigorate local and regional tourism by promoting Whitby’s tourism attractions, events, culinary scene, and unique retail, and to create a sense of community pride and engagement among residents. Through this promotional video, the Town aspired to boost tourism, stimulate the local economy, promote a variety of attractions and events, and foster a deeper connection between residents and their town.

The video was created by a local business and Whitby Chamber member, North Brothers Inc., in partnership with the Town of Whitby and was shared on the Town’s YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter channels including a collaborated post between the Whitby Tourism and North Brother’s Instagram profiles. The video is also housed on the homepage page of the Whitby Tourism microsite.

Since posting the video in May 2024, the video has had 2,115 views on Instagram, with 15 shares from tourism partners including Durham Tourism. On Whitby’s Facebook, there were 1890 impressions, 535 views, and 37 engagements. On the Whitby Tourism Microsite homepage, Whitby.ca/Tourism, there have been 972 webpage views with 666 unique users. On Whitby’s YouTube channel, the view has been viewed 160 times. Across all platforms, there have been a total of 2,615 views and this number continues to increase daily as the teaser has only been active online for three months.

The video’s ability to showcase the unique appeal of Whitby’s tourism attractions, events, culinary scene, and unique retail has resonated with both residents and tourists resulting in enhanced community participation and higher tourism numbers. While our KPIs are still being collected, our engagement rates continue to rise with 1,725 followers and over 26,400 profiles reached in a 30-day period via the Town’s tourism Instagram, @ExploreWhitby.

The Whitby Tourism Teaser Video has successfully achieved its dual objectives of energizing tourism and fostering community pride. This purposeful campaign, skillfully conveyed the Town of Whitby’s vibrant culture and diverse tourism offerings, resonating with residents and tourists alike. As evidenced by increased website engagement, social media views and impressions, and boosted followers, the video’s impact has been substantial. As Whitby’s ultimate tourism destination status is affirmed, this campaign stands as a testament to the potent synergy of purpose-driven storytelling, leaving a legacy of connection, pride, and vibrancy.

Watch Whitby’s Tourism Teaser Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIlQ1LdR740