The federal government is spending money on enhancing the tourist experience for those who visit Sault Ste. Marie and the rest of Northern Ontario.
Sault MP Terry Sheehan announced $375,000 in FedNor funding over three years for Northern Ontario tourism at the Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site Monday morning.
The money is aimed at bringing tourist attraction operators across Northern Ontario together to ensure tourist facilities are top-notch.
"It's an honour and a privilege to be able to announce this in Sault Ste. Marie," Sheehan told SooToday.
"It really helps boost tourism in Northern Ontario for the American tourists who are now once again coming into Northern Ontario because of the low loonie…its allows them to want to stay longer and want to come back and spread the message about what a great tourism experience that Northern Ontario has."
Sheehan and tourism officials in attendance for Monday's announcement said the strategy, in the long run, will be similar to that which currently promotes Newfoundland and Labrador in colourful TV and online commercials.
"This is the first phase, there'll be additional phases coming," Sheehan said.
"It's quite an endeavour," said David MacLachlan, Tourism Northern Ontario executive director.
"This is a $1.5 million program over the next two years . . . the FedNor contribution is $375,000 but there are other partners such as the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport and the Northern Ontario Heritage Funding Corporation," MacLachlan said.
"It's on-the-ground assistance for tourism operators in destination communities to not only enhance existing tourism product but to develop new tourism product," MacLachlan said.
"This is the first step to developing those types of Newfoundland and Labrador commercials for Northern Ontario," said Karen Peacock, Sudbury-based Tourism Excellence North coordinator.
In the meantime, Sheehan said the funding will go toward ensuring quality in "the little things…it's important to get those right."
Those things, Sheehan said, include everything from the quality of food to comfortable pillows at tourist attractions.
"You need to have that total consistency across the North so that people recognize Northern Ontario as the place to be when it comes to spending their holidays."
"They (tourist operators across the North) will share best practices and work together instead of working in silos," Sheehan said.
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News Release
Government of Canada Investment Supports Tourism Development and Growth in Northern Ontario
July 18, 2016 – Sault Ste. Marie, ON – Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario - FedNor Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for FedNor, today announced an investment of $375,000 over a three-year period to develop and grow the tourism industry in Northern Ontario and enhance its competitiveness.
The FedNor contribution will enable Tourism Northern Ontario to develop and implement a set of tools and training solutions that will help tourism businesses respond to changes in the marketplace, meet and exceed visitor expectations, and develop innovative experiences designed to result in increased business and revenue.
Quick facts
• The funding announced today is provided through FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program, which supports projects that promote sustainable community economic development, enhance business development and growth, and facilitate innovation.
• Tourism Excellence North is a tourism product development program, based in part on a successful, similar program led by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
Quotes
“This Government of Canada investment in Northern Ontario’s tourism industry is designed to help operators stand out in today’s highly competitive global market, enticing visitors to come to the region and stay for longer periods. By providing them with the tools to adapt to the ever-changing market and consumer demands, we are helping businesses to grow, thereby strengthening the economy and creating jobs.”
The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for FedNor
“Based on the experience in Atlantic Canada, we know that this program will produce results. I’m delighted that tourism outfitters and businesses across Northern Ontario will be able to take advantage of best practices and solutions that have been developed to enhance their tourism products and attract more visitors to the region.”
Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie
“We gratefully acknowledge the Government of Canada’s support and are excited to bring these new tools to our stakeholders across Northern Ontario. By helping tourist operators focus on service quality enhancement and personalized customer service, we hope to boost visitation across the North to share the best of what Northern Ontario has to offer with the world.” David MacLachlan, Executive Director, Tourism Northern Ontario
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