Coolest class trip ever?

Sault Ste. Marie as a mecca destination for class trips?

That's one of the ideas contained in a five-year strategic tourism plan being developed by the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation.

Educational tourism "is one of the areas we want to look at on the Gateway site development plan," says Ian McMillan, executive director of Tourism Sault Ste. Marie. "What is in our backyard to facilitate ongoing school groups to come to our city?"

McMillan said class trips to the Sault could capitalize on our connection to the outdoors, the Cambrian Shield and the Great Lakes.

They could also include elements of our renewable energy industry and the forestry/ invasive species research facilities.

"What a great way to attune our students to the outdoors," McMillan said. "It's a great opportunity for education and a great way to bring those schools back here again and again."

Yesterday, McMillan and Donna Hilsinger, chair of Tourism Sault Ste. Marie, presented a hot-off-the-press draft of the strategic plan to the EDC's board of directors.

McMillan said it's difficult to predict all the factors that will be affecting local tourism five years from now.

People have gotten used to the idea that passports are required for travel outside the United States.

As a result, McMillan believes they will return to the Sault soon.

When they do, they will find a revitalized and refreshed Agawa Canyon Tour Train.

That - along with other local attractions and the Sault's stellar level of service and hospitality - will keep them coming back, he says.

Sault Ste. Marie's tourism offerings will also attract people from the greater Toronto area and other markets, McMillan said.

The strategic plan calls for a start on developing these and other opportunities sooner rather than later.

Once finalized, the five-year plan will be presented to City Council, perhaps at its next meeting on March 8.

The full document won't be released until then.