Ian Worte

Ian leads the Destination Development team, where he works with destinations and organizations across Canada and internationally to create initiatives that grow culinary and agritourism. This includes developing food and beverage trails, strategic plans, and creating culinary and agritourism experiences that celebrate local culture, strengthen food systems, and grow inclusive economies. 

He has led the development of numerous food and beverage trails, including the Richmond Dumpling Trail, Shuswap Farmstand Trail, Ontario Craft Cider Trail, Global Food City Trail (Markham), Fields & Flavours Trail (Waterloo Region), and the Follow the Flavours Multicultural Food Trail (Windsor Essex Pelee Island). Ian’s strategic planning work includes the development of Ottawa Valley’s Culinary Tourism Strategy, Destination Canada’s Field to Fork Corridor (Manitoba & Saskatchewan), and most recently, the newly launched National Culinary & Agritourism Action Plan. 

Ian has led capacity-building initiatives with organizations including Visit Flanders, Indigenous Tourism Ontario, Indigenous Tourism BC, Ontario Craft Brewers Association, and Trans Canada Trail. He has also overseen the development of the Culinary & Agritourism READI Program and the Taste of Place Leadership Program, both of which support industry and operator training. 

Ian holds a Master of Economic Development and Innovation from the University of Waterloo, where he focused on craft beverage tourism, community economic development, and heritage conservation. He also holds a Master’s in Political Science from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor’s in Public Affairs and Policy Management from Carleton University.