The cure for Ontario's economic woes?

NEWS RELEASE

TOURISM INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO

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Tourism can save municipalities

TORONTO (March 14, 2012) - With the anticipation of the federal and provincial budgets coming soon, industry is bracing itself as governments look to cut costs. 

However, the federal and provincial governments are not the only ones grappling to control their budgets and implement cost cutting measures. 

Municipal governments are also looking at ways to save on the expense line.

“Governments often have knee-jerk reactions during tough economic times and axe funding to tourism related projects or programs that are revenue generators for the province, their riding or municipality,” says Beth Potter, president of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario.

“Instead governments should look to tourism as a strong revenue generator and invest in tourism,” Potter went on to say.

Recently, Middlesex County turned down a request for funds that would be keep Tourism Middlesex afloat.

With attractions such as Appleland, Jefferson Junction Campground, Delaware Speedway, Carolinian Winery and upcoming ceremonial events honouring the War of 1812, many in the community feel the County has removed its welcome mat and closed its doors. 

Other municipalities are looking at ways to invest in tourism.

The City of Belleville is revamping its Waterfront Festival and Council has supported this effort by giving the District Chamber of Commerce $75,000 for each of the next two years. 

According to Councillor Christopher Taso, “We should have an event every weekend and should support giving the chamber $1 million for 20 events.” 

The Township of Oro-Medonte has ambitions to become an event tourism mecca by modelling itself after Whistler Village or Mount Tremblant.

This major tourism investment is having a positive impact on the Township’s business community as, “It’s allowing existing businesses to expand/or new businesses to move into the industrial park,” said Andria Leigh, Director of Development Servicers for the Township of Oro-Medonte.

 “In Ontario alone tourism generates over $21 billion in revenues, supports roughly 147,000 tourism-related businesses and creates over 600,000 jobs,” said Potter. 

Municipalities can leverage investments in tourism and realize new jobs and economic growth.

In 2009, the Township of Terrace Bay lost its largest employer, Terrace Bay Pulp Inc.

The mill was another victim of the global economic catastrophe that started due to the collapse of the U.S. housing market. 

The closure of the mill resulted in a staggering unemployment rate of 40 percent..

To revive its community, the Township looked to tourism to help it generate much needed revenues and jobs.  T

hey invested $3 million in their community which resulted in a rejuvenated downtown and plaza. 

They also created a new attraction – the 50-foot Terrace Bay Lighthouse. 

Visitors are able to climb to the top of the lighthouse and take in the picturesque views of Terrace Bay, Lake Superior, the Slate Islands and the surrounding area.  

Today, the Lighthouse is a strong symbol of the turnaround for their community. 

On November 9, 2011, the municipality won awards for excellence in municipal marketing and as a tourism innovator for the use of the Terrace Bay Lighthouse. 

“We are very honoured to have won these two awards and are grateful for the recognition by our peers. It really acknowledges all the hard work our staff has done in Terrace Bay,” said Carmelo Notarbartolo, chief administrative officer at the Township of Terrace Bay.

Tourism creates jobs and is an economic driver in Ontario. 

Tourism is a great return on investment for governments in Ontario. 

Join TIAO and help get the word out: investing in tourism means jobs and economic growth. 

Follow TIAO on Twitter and help get #investintourism trending.

To learn more about the tourism industry in Ontario visit here.         

The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) is the umbrella organization for leading associations, destination marketing organizations, regional tourism organizations and businesses serving Ontario’s diverse tourism industry.

TIAO provides a strong unified voice for the sector, advocating the importance of tourism and the interests of the business community to all levels of government in order to help the industry grow and prosper.     

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