Former finance minister visits, huddles with Orazietti

NEWS RELEASE

DAVID ORAZIETTI, MPP

************************** Orazietti welcomes Greg Sorbara to discuss provincial tourism strategy

McGuinty government helping bring more tourists to Ontario to create jobs and boost economy

SAULT STE. MARIE - (March 17) - David Orazietti, MPP is welcoming Greg Sorbara, MPP to Sault Ste. Marie today to discuss a new provincial tourism strategy at the Waterfront Inn (formerly Holiday Inn).

“This new tourism strategy could help bring more tourists to our province and our community which would provide a boost to local businesses while making jobs more secure for workers and their families,” said Orazietti. “Sault Ste. Marie has incredible experiences to offer tourists including the Agawa Tour Train, Searchmont and the Bushplane Museum and our government will continue working to promote these attractions across North America.”

In February, 2009, the Government of Ontario released Discovering Ontario: A report on the future of tourism, with four broad strategic proposals and 20 specific recommendations to revitalize and grow tourism in the province.

The report is the result of the comprehensive Ontario Tourism Competitiveness Study announced in March, 2008.

At the request of leaders in the tourism sector, the Ontario government asked Greg Sorbara, the MPP for Vaughan and former Finance Minister, to conduct a study to set a path for tourism in Ontario.

During the summer and fall of 2008, Chair Sorbara and his study team toured the province to meet informally with stakeholders and the public.

The study researched the state of tourism in Ontario and reviewed best practices in North America and around the world.

It also developed a broad consultation process that sought input not only from the tourism industry, but also the broader business sector, financiers and investors, the hospitality industry, the academic and research communities and the travelling public in every region of the province.

In September and October, 13 formal public consultation sessions were held across the province. 

More than 500 stakeholders participated and almost 200 written or on-line submissions were made by stakeholder groups.

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