ONTARIO HELPS ATTRACT GENIES TO OTTAWA

McGuinty Government Growing Tourism Industry in Nation's Capital

 

 

NEWS

 

Ontario is shining a spotlight on the nation’s capital and raising its tourism profile by helping it stage Canada’s most prestigious movie awards celebration.

 

The province is investing $150,000 to help the National Capital Commission host the 2009 Genie Awards and Genie Week. The event will draw visitors to the region, bring national attention to local tourist attractions and enhance the city’s reputation as a go-to destination.

 

The Genie Awards will take place April 4 at the Canadian Aviation Museum.

 

QUOTES

 

"Our government recognizes that tourism is an important economic driver that creates jobs in communities across the province. The Genie Awards Week is a great opportunity to cast the spotlight on the nation’s capital and to highlight all the great tourism opportunities Ottawa has to offer.”

 

- Monique Smith, Minister of Tourism

 

“Bringing the Genies to Ottawa is important to the city’s economy. Ontario is delighted to have played a role in making this happen for the people of Ottawa and for the entire province.”

 

- Jim Watson, MPP for Ottawa West-Nepean

 

QUICK FACTS

 

• Approximately 300,000 people in Ontario are directly or indirectly employed by the tourism industry.
• In 2007, tourism revenue was over $22 billion. These receipts produced $20 billion of GDP, or 3.4% of the province’s Gross Domestic Product, which was greater than the combined total from agriculture, forestry/logging, commercial fishing/hunting and mining.

 

LEARN MORE

 

Discover things to do in Ontario.

Learn more about the Genie Awards

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Contacts:
Lisa DiLollo, Minister’s Office, 416-325-4543.
Mark Thompson, Communications Branch, (416) 325-8391