Ottawa Tourism opens new visitor centre helping revitalize downtown

The building is a destination within itself.

Ottawa Tourism opened its doors on Dec. 18 to its newest visitor centre located within the Central Chambers National Historic Site of Canada (40 Elgin St.), an “iconic” building in the heart of the capital.

The new centre is possible due to funding from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, and is in partnership with Canadian Heritage.

It will host a wide range of services for both domestic and international travellers and continues to work with Canadian Heritage welcoming visitors to both local and national historic sites. This area opens after the relocation of the Capital Information Kiosk across from Parliament Hill.

“The opening of this space marks a significant step forward in our community’s efforts to rejuvenate and revitalize Ottawa’s downtown core,” Michael Crockatt, President and CEO of Ottawa Tourism. “By offering a welcoming and informative space for visitors and locals, Ottawa Tourism hopes to encourage longer trips and repeat visits, thereby contributing to the city’s vitality and economy.”

By adding it to a highly traversed area for tourists, the centre will be more accessible and can provide information on attractions, restaurants and landmarks by promoting local businesses and destinations.

It is all part of a master plan to revitalize Ottawa’s downtown, which has been in a ghost town state for years.

Through the pandemic and people working from home, increased crime and drug and mental health issues and the majority of downtown buildings designated to the federal government, Ottawa’s core has become desolate and voided of nightlife.

Mathieu Grondin was hired in June as Ottawa’s first nightlife commissioner — a position that’s become known as the “night mayor.” His goal is to transform the city from boring and bureaucratic to buzzworthy over the next 10 years.

With the nightlife revitalization, Ottawa Tourism’s newest centre can point tourists in the right direction of the hidden gems in the nation’s capital.

“From organizing national celebrations like Canada Day and Winterlude to providing interpretation services for iconic landmarks such as Parliament Hill and the National War Memorial, our relationship with Ottawa as a destination is truly special,” Pascale St-Onge, Canadian Heritage Minister, said. “Partnering with Ottawa Tourism on this visitor centre is a natural extension of our commitment to ensuring that Canadians and tourists alike have access to the rich cultural and historical offerings of our nation’s capital.”