Five University of Windsor MBA students and Windsor-Detroit Tunnel officials launched the "40-40 YQG" tourism campaign on March 7, 2024 [1].

The initiative seeks to increase economic activity in the historic Sandwich Town district by encouraging American tourists to cross the Detroit River into Ontario.

The program utilizes a digital tourism passport to guide visitors through the neighborhood. This approach aims to modernize how tourists interact with local heritage sites while providing a structured incentive for exploration. Five [1] MBA students from the University of Windsor developed the campaign in collaboration with tunnel officials, including CEO Tal Czudner.

"Our goal is to create a fun, digital passport that encourages visitors to explore the historic Sandwich Town district," Emily Nguyen, a University of Windsor MBA student, said.

The collaboration between academic researchers and infrastructure officials leverages the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel as a primary gateway for international traffic. By targeting the U.S. market, the campaign intends to transform the border crossing into a catalyst for local business growth.

"We’re excited to showcase Windsor’s unique heritage and attractions to our American neighbours," Czudner said.

Local officials emphasized that the district is prepared for an influx of international guests. The campaign focuses on the cultural, and historical significance of Sandwich Town to differentiate it from other regional destinations.

"Sandwich Town is ready to welcome visitors with new experiences and a fresh look at our community," Stefanie Masotti said.

Our goal is to create a fun, digital passport that encourages visitors to explore the historic Sandwich Town district.

This partnership represents a strategic attempt to convert transit traffic from the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel into sustainable tourism revenue. By utilizing a digital passport, the city is attempting to gamify the visitor experience to increase the 'dwell time' of American tourists in Sandwich Town, potentially shifting the area from a transit corridor to a destination.