MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT INVESTING IN DOMESTIC TOURISM THIS SUMMER

Festivals And Events Help Build A Strong And Prosperous Economy

TORONTO — The McGuinty government is giving Ontarians 57 more reasons to discover their own province this year by investing $4.5 million to help 57 festivals and events expand programming and market their festivals and events, Jim Bradley, Minister of Tourism, announced today.

“The Celebrate Ontario program is helping community organizations market festivals to create new experiences that will attract greater audiences.” said Bradley. “Festivals and events increase tourism, bringing new visitors to communities across Ontario, contributing to a strong and prosperous economy.”

• Festivals and events to receive funding include:
• The Carrousel of Nations, Windsor
• Rotary Fest, Sault Ste Marie
• The Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Game, Fergus
• Canadian Tulip Festival , Ottawa

The Canadian Tulip Festival, held from May 4 -21, was a record-breaking success, with almost 24,000 people visiting the International Pavilion in Major’s Hill Park on May 19 alone – even with the Stanley Cup contenders The Ottawa Senators playing that day.  The pavilion included 15 embassies and community groups that provided entertainment and food from around the world. 

“Thanks to the funding provided by the Ontario government, we were able to successfully launch the 2007 Canadian Tulip Festival and introduce some exciting new features to the festival” said David Luxton, chairman of the festival. “Celebridée – A Celebration of Ideas featured provocative presentations and speakers throughout Ottawa and the International Pavilion drew nearly 125,000 people to Major’s Hill Park during the festival – three times last year’s attendance at the same location.”

The festival began in 1953, to celebrate Holland’s Queen Juliana for generously presenting Canada with 100,000 tulip bulbs as thanks for helping liberate the Netherlands during the Second World War. Ottawa also served as a safe haven for Holland’s royal family during the war.

The $4 million Celebrate Ontario program is a funding initiative to support the growth of existing festivals and events and provides funding for programming. An additional $500,000 is being provided to support marketing. The funding is part of $22 million announced for tourism from the McGuinty government’s $190 million economic stimulus package designed to boosts jobs and growth in Ontario, announced in December.

Since October 2003, the Ministry of Tourism has invested more than $9 million to market Ontario’s festivals and events.

The maximum funding was $75,000 for programming enhancement and $18,750 for marketing. For the full list visit www.tourism.gov.on.ca

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