Ontario Government Helping Boost Georgian
Bay Tourism
LITTLE CURRENT, ON, Aug. 2 /CNW/ - The
Ontario government is investing $60,000 in a Georgian
Bay tourism industry alliance that is marketing the area
as a year-round travel destination, Tourism Minister Jim
Bradley announced today. "Georgian Bay is one of
the province's most beautiful regions, with lots for visitors
and residents to see and do in all four seasons,"
said Bradley.
"The Ontario government is pleased
to partner with the Georgian Bay Destination Development
Partnership to develop tourism experiences in the region."
The grant will help the Georgian Bay Destination Development
Partnership attract new and repeat visitors to the region
through marketing, research and support for local tourism
operators and visitor centres. The group will promote
motorcycling and RV touring routes as well as marine heritage
and lighthouses, beaches, scenic vistas and outdoor adventure.
"Support from the Ministry of Tourism will help us
promote Georgian Bay as an icon destination," said
Bryan Plumstead, chair of the Georgian Bay Destination
Partnership. "We feel strongly that our local attractions
and amenities can compete on a global scale to attract
travellers from the US, Quebec and beyond."
Georgian Bay offers many tourism experiences
including Sainte-Marie Among The Hurons, the historic
French River canoe route traveled by Samuel de Champlain
in 1615, Manitoulin Island, Wasaga Beach, the Bruce Peninsula
and the 30,000 Islands. The area has three national parks,
several provincial parks and protected areas, as well
as the entrance to the Trent Severn National Historic
Waterway.
Grey County is the lead partner of the Georgian Bay Destination
Development Partnership. Other members include Bruce County,
Georgian Triangle
Tourist Association, Town of Wasaga Beach,
Southern Georgian Bay Chamber of Commerce, Georgian Bay
Country Tourism Association, Rainbow Country, City of
Greater Sudbury, LAMBAC (Manitoulin Island), Blue Mountain
Resort (Intrawest),and Scenic Caves Nature Adventures.
"A healthy tourism industry supports Ontario's high
quality of life," said Bradley. "Tourism brings
new visitors to communities across Ontario, supporting
small businesses, creating jobs and contributing to a
strong and prosperous economy."
www.tourism.gov.on.ca
www.ontariotravel.net
Backgrounder
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The Georgian Bay Destination Development
Partnership
The Georgian Bay Destination Development
Partnership is a tourism industry alliance, created as
part of the Ontario Tourism Strategy Implementation Plan
in 2006. The Partnership's goal is to attract international
travellers and encourage the domestic market to travel
locally in the Georgian Bay region in a manner that supports
a strong and vibrant local economy and quality of life,
and strives for more repeat visitation on a year round
basis.
Georgian Bay Coastal Route
The Georgian Bay Scenic Coastal Route is
one of nine Great Drives actively being promoted through
the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation's
Summer Great Drives program. The first phase of the Georgian
Bay Coastal Route project was completed
in March 2007. It identified touring routes (by motorcycle
and RV, for example) and area attractions such as marine
heritage and lighthouses, beaches, scenic vistas and outdoor
adventure experiences. The tours are featured at www.visitgeorgianbay.com.
In the second phase of the project in 2007/08,
the Partnership will:
