Our Mission:
Kingston Destination Group (KDG) is committed to hospitality excellence as the portal to inspired visitor experiences in the Kingston 1000 Islands destination. We operate tourism and customer experience brands in downtown Kingston, Ontario Canada, including Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises, K-Pass, Kingston Trolley Tours, Waterfront Gifts & Apparel and Wheelhouse Culinary.
Our Story:
Our company was founded as Kingston and the Islands Boat Lines Ltd (KIBL) in 1976, offering sightseeing cruises aboard the Island Queen, a 300-passenger triple-deck Mississippi paddle-wheeler. After many successful years in the sightseeing cruise business, we acquired two additional vessels, a fleet of tour trolleys, and a retail location in downtown Kingston, transforming our small boat line into Kingston Destination Group; the umbrella name for the eight leading brands we own and operate today.
Our Core Values:
Our core values are a set of timeless guiding principles that shape the way we host, work and train. Among “Team Trust and Respect” and “Positivity and Passion,” we’re committed to the ideal, “Guest First, Safety Always” by always having eyes for service and safety.
Our Destination:
At the gateway of the 1000 Islands and the UNESCO-designated Rideau Canal, Kingston is a city rich in history and culture, and home to a vibrant arts, food, and maker community. We’re a city built on a grand heritage and defined by our ability to blend the beauty of yesterday with the passion and sophistication of today. Every year Kingston hosts festivals, live concerts and events and we have an abundance of museums, art galleries, and historic sites to keep you busy – it’s all waiting for you to explore.
Our Experiences:
To our cruise guests we offer daily sightseeing cruises, private charters and a complete dining experience on board. Our boarding pier in downtown Kingston is surrounded by unique historic limestone buildings, lively outdoor cafes and pubs, outdoor farmers market and a picturesque Confederation Park.
Kingston Trolley Tours offer historic tours of Kingston aboard a fleet of comfortable thirty-two passenger trolleys. It’s an ideal way to enjoy Kingston’s history and attractions.
For an intimate way to learn about our city, we offer a unique walking tour experience with local historian, Arthur Milnes as part of the Kingston Walks brand.