MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT BOOSTS TOURISM BY SUPPORTING NIAGARA ICEWINE FESTIVAL
Funding Will Help Promote Festival And Cultural Tourism

 

NIAGARA FALLS – The McGuinty government is promoting tourism in Niagara by investing more than $130,000 to support the 12th Niagara Icewine Festival’s marketing campaign, as well as several cultural components of the festival, Minister of Tourism Jim Bradley and Minister of Culture Caroline Di Cocco announced today.

“The Ministry of Tourism supports events and festivals because they promote economic growth, support small business and contribute to building prosperous communities,” said Bradley. “The Niagara Icewine Festival provides a great opportunity to showcase Niagara’s wine products and the many other attractions visitors can enjoy.”

The Ministry of Tourism is providing $40,000 for the marketing campaign to promote the Niagara Icewine Festival to audiences in the Toronto, London and Ottawa areas. The ministry is also providing $62,600 to support the Icewine Classic event in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

The Ministry of Culture is providing $35,000 through the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund for  new art components of the festival, including: “Painting Below Zero” a unique creation in ice by Ontario artist Gordon Halloran representing the “Niagara Vineyard in Winter Landscape” at the Shaw Festival; indoor exhibitions along the Niagara Wine Route; and, ice sculpting exhibitions to be held in Jordan.

“Supporting cultural tourism events boosts both tourism numbers and community pride,” said  Di Cocco. “In the end, the community derives significant economic benefits from such initiatives, which also improve the local quality of place. So everybody wins.”

The Niagara Wine Festival runs from January 19-28, 2007.  The festival offers visitors culinary programs, wine tasting, entertainment and winery tours.  A “Classic Weekend Package” is available which includes culinary experiences, tours, seminars, all transportation and accommodation at the Prince of Wales Hotel. A complete program of activities is available on the website www.niagarawinefestival.com.

“The support of the Ministry of Tourism for marketing initiatives is an important part of helping to make the festival a great success,” said Ken Weir, President of the Niagara Icewine Festival. “I am pleased with the partnership we have with the provincial government and their continued support of Niagara’s wine and culinary industry.”

“Supporting wine festivals and events creates a great tourism experience for our visitor,” said Bradley. “Partnering with communities across the province to market various events strengthens Ontario as a tourism destination.”

This is the most recent tourism boost from the McGuinty government, which has also invested in:

• The Rogers Chinese Lantern Festival, the world’s largest Chinese lantern festival outside of Asia, held at Ontario Place from July 20 to October 1
• The Niagara Grape and Wine Festival, held from September 22 to October 1
• The Alight at Night Festival at Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg, between Kingston and Cornwall.
• The Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular in Toronto.
   

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Contacts:
David Oved, Minister’s Office, (416) 314-1400
Gary Wheeler, Communications Branch, (416) 325-8391