TOURISM WEEK KICKS OFF THE SUMMER VACATION SEASON

McGuinty Government Encourages Families To Discover Ontario

 

NEWS

 

Ontario is promoting the benefits of a “staycation” during this year’s Tourism Week – a national awareness week that highlights the economic and social value of tourism.

 

This summer, a “staycation” in the province can be a budget-wise choice for many Ontarians – it supports local economies by keeping travel dollars in Ontario. Residents and visitors can enjoy the province’s spectacular natural beauty, outdoor adventures, unique festivals and events, wine and culinary experiences, cosmopolitan cities and authentic cultural and heritage attractions.

 

Ontario Travel Information Centres across the province will open their doors and feature travel related displays and special events this week to help promote the industry and all that Ontario has to offer travellers this summer and year-round. When Ontarians visit their local travel centre, from June 1-7, they can enter to win:

 

• More than $10,000 in prizes, as well as free passes and attractions coupons.

 

• Three Ontario getaway packages courtesy of Skylon Tower, Stratford Tourism and Resorts of Ontario (Brookstreet Resort in Ottawa and Bayview Wildwood Resort in Muskoka), Ottawa Tourism, Tourism Toronto and Dancap Productions.

 

Tourism Week runs from June 1-7, 2009.

 

QUOTES

 

"Our government understands and recognizes the importance of tourism for Ontario’s economic success. This summer, I encourage Ontarians to visit their own ‘backyard’ and re-discover all the great attractions and experiences our province has to offer.”
– Monique Smith, Minister of Tourism

 

 

QUICK FACTS

 

• 300,000 people in Ontario are directly or indirectly employed by the tourism industry.

• In 2007, total tourism receipts in Ontario totalled more than $22 billion.

• Ontario’s tourism industry is extremely diverse, encompassing 152,000 businesses, representing 17 per cent of the total number of businesses in the province.

 

LEARN MORE

Find out more about Ontario’s tourism industry.
Discover travel experiences in Ontario at www.ontariotravel.net.
Watch our new television commercial featuring Ontario artist Justin Hines, which can be seen on Ontario networks such as CBC, CTV and CanWest from now until June 22, “There’s No Place Like This”.

 

 

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Contacts:
Lisa DiLollo, Minister’s Office, 416-325-4543.
Lisa Robart, Communications Branch, (416) 212-3928

 

• Backgrounder