ONTARIO BOOSTS FESTIVAL FUNDING TO DRAW MORE VISITORS

McGuinty Government Supporting Festivals and Events Across the Province

 

News

Summer festivals and events across the province generate millions of dollars for the economy and Ontario is helping them reach new markets and attract more visitors with a $1 million boost in funding.

The investment is in addition to the $2.5 million that the government provides every year to help market festivals and events across the province.

The government has also provided $10 million through the Celebrate Ontario program to support the development and marketing of festivals and events, more than double the funding provided in 2007.

Tourism Minister Peter Fonseca made the announcement at Ontario Place, which will host an All Day Salsa event on July 10, as part of the Salsa in Toronto Festival, which also runs from July 12-13. The Salsa in Toronto Festival was one of many festivals and events in Ontario to receive marketing support from the province.

 

QUOTES

“Ontario is home to thousands of unique festivals and events like Salsa in Toronto that showcase our province’s wide range of cultural, culinary and adventure experiences,” said Tourism Minister Peter Fonseca. “By providing an additional million dollars to market our festivals and events, we’re investing in the growth and vitality of our tourism industry and our communities.”

"The support from the province has been critical to our ambitious growth for our Salsa festival in 2008, said John Montesano, Vice President and General Manager of Telelatino Network Inc., which organises the Salsa in Toronto Festival. "Their expertise and advice helped open many doors and partnership possibilities while their funding will allow us for the first time to execute a French language campaign in the Montreal market that will attract salsa lovers to Ontario."

QUICK FACTS

 

• Ontario is home to more than 3,000 annual festivals and community events.
• Festivals and events will use the funding to attract visitors from more than 100 kilometres away.
• Tourism employs more than 200,000 people in Ontario

• Tourism contributes more than $20 billion to Ontario’s Gross Domestic Product
  

 

LEARN MORE

 

Discover more fun summer activities across Ontario at www.ontariotravel.net.

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Contacts:

Alicia Farrow, Minister’s Office, (416) 325-4543
Jill Skorochod, Communications Branch, (416) 325-8391