On Oct. 8, Haliburton Forest and Yours Outdoors announced the two companies would be partnering. From left, Malcolm Cockwell, managing director, Haliburton Forest; Tegan Legge, general manager, tourism and recreation, Haliburton Forest; Cameron Ferguson, operations manager; Emily Stonehouse, co-manager, Yours Outdoors; Barrie Martin, founder and co-manager, Yours Outdoors. /Photo submitted By Echo Staff
Yours Outdoors, an experiential tourism company founded by Barrie Martin in 2006, has partnered with Haliburton Forest to “provide and promote the very best tourism opportunities available in the Haliburton Highlands,” the companies say.
Martin will join the tourism and recreation division of Haliburton Forest, alongside general manager Tegan Legge and operations manager Cameron Ferguson, a joint press release issued Oct. 8 states.
“The partnership between Haliburton Forest and Yours Outdoors is a business and a social mission all in one, to work with our stakeholders ‐ and especially experience delivery staff ‐ to grow the tourism economy of the Haliburton Highlands,” Malcolm Cockwell, managing director of Haliburton Forest, said.
The companies say the partnership will help promote the area as a premiere tourist destination, broaden the range of services available to domestic and international markets and create business efficiencies, among other things.
Both companies have received awards from the Ontario Tourism Industry Association, each receiving the Sustainable Tourism Award and Martin being honoured as the Tourism Champion of the Year in 2016.
Yours Outdoors provides experiential tourism packages, taking customers on adventures around the county, participating in activities such as rockhounding, glassblowing, beer tasting, and snowshoeing. Haliburton Forest, situated on a 100,000-acre property, similarly features the Highlands’ natural appeal with offerings such as wolf howls, treetop excursions, dogsledding, astronomy talks and fishing.
Emily Stonehouse, who most recently was economic development, destination and marketing officer for the Township of Minden Hills, will be co-manager of Yours Outdoors and will lead marketing and promotions for Haliburton Forest.
“Yours Outdoors will maintain its distinctive brand and products, will continue working independently with local tourism partners/providers and experience leaders, while working with Haliburton Forest to further develop authentic rural experiences,” the press release says.
