ONTARIO HELPS WINTERLUDE GROW

McGuinty Government Helping To Boost Tourism In Nation’s Capital

 

 

NEWS

 

Ontario is helping to attract more visitors to one of Canada’s most famous winter carnivals.

Winterlude is a major tourist attraction in the province and a key economic driver for the Ottawa region.

 

Ontario is investing $300,000 to help strengthen the festival’s appeal as a tourist attraction and boost the local economy by supporting the production of a new multimedia sound and light show that celebrates Canadian winters.  This exciting new show will be playing at the Snowbowl stage throughout the festival.

 

The funding is part of Celebrate Ontario, the province’s festivals and events enhancement program. Last year, Celebrate Ontario provided $10 million to help expand and market festivals and events across the province.

 

QUOTES

 

“Winterlude is a wonderful celebration of everything winter, which welcomes thousands of visitors from near and far every year.  It also helps create jobs and stimulate economic growth in the Ottawa region,” said Minister of Tourism Monique Smith.  “It is important we support this major tourist draw and ensure it continues to contribute to the economic well-being of the Ottawa area and our province.” 

 

 “Winterlude has a long history of helping to boost our local economy by attracting visitors and showing tourists what our city and our beautiful province has to offer,” said Ottawa-Centre MPP Yasir Naqvi.

 

QUICK FACTS

 

• Every year, hundreds of thousands of people take part in Winterlude activities. More than a third of visitors are from outside the Ottawa national capital region.
• In a recent survey, it was estimated that Winterlude-related spending generated a total of $82.5 million of economic spin-offs within the national capital region.
• Winterlude is free of charge and will be taking place every weekend from February 6-22, 2009.

 

LEARN MORE

 

Find out more about Winterlude.

Discover other things to do in Ontario.

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Contacts:
David Spencer, Minister’s Office, (416) 326-1122
Jane Greer, Communications Branch, (416) 325-8391