10/01/2026
Meet Jackie Tenuta, Vice President of Tourism Growth and Research at Travel Manitoba, based in Winnipeg.
Originally from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Jackie began her career in agriculture after completing a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing at the University of Saskatchewan. She spent many years working in industry and international business development with the provincial government and a national industry association before moving into tourism seven years ago. Today, she leads Travel Manitoba’s market research insights and destination development team.
Jackie’s work connects directly to “Taste of Place” through the implementation of the Field to Fork Agritourism Strategy, a collaborative initiative with Tourism Saskatchewan, Destination Canada, and the Culinary Tourism Alliance. The work is helping grow agritourism and culinary tourism while connecting with businesses that may not have previously considered themselves part of the tourism industry. For Jackie, Canada’s agriculture, food production, research capacity, geographic diversity, and access to both land and sea create enormous potential for food to become an even greater part of the country’s tourism story.
Jackie joined the Culinary Tourism Alliance Board of Directors to ensure Manitoba has a voice and perspective at the national level, while building connections and knowledge that can support the work happening within the province. She brings expertise in market research and destination development, along with a unique perspective shaped by her previous career in agriculture.
Looking ahead, Jackie is particularly excited about opportunities for greater collaboration between tourism and agriculture, as well as education for both operators and the post-secondary sector. At the heart of her involvement is a simple belief: “We are stronger together. The more we can collaborate, the more we will be able to achieve.”
Favourite flavour memory: Experiencing Raw Almond in Winnipeg with her husband two years ago. The unique dining experience, incredible food, and people they met made it memorable – and celebrating their wedding anniversary at the same time made the occasion even more special.
