Ontario Travel celebrates Tourism Week

Ontario Travel packed its big green suitcase for downtown Toronto on Friday, bringing along several of the province’s top tourist attractions for a Tourism Week celebration at Yonge-Dundas Square.

Representatives from several of Ontario’s major tourism attractions were on hand for the event, including the Metro Toronto Zoo, Ripley’s Aquarium, the Hockey Hall of Fame, the CN Tower and Ontario Parks. Also represented was the Toronto 2015 Pan Am & Parapan Am Games, which come to Toronto July 10-26 and Aug. 7-15 respectively. The afternoon was the culmination of Ontario Tourism Week celebrations hosted throughout the province, including open houses and other public events promoting Ontario’s destinations and attractions.

Kevin Forget, Ontario Travel’s travel promotions officer, told PAX that Ontario’s tourism attractions continue to draw visitors both near and far, with Ontarians and U.S. travellers alike opting for a vacation close to home.

“We’re finding a lot of people are doing staycations and the nice bonus is that they have all this stuff in their backyard,” he said. “People who are looking for something a little out of the box are in luck, too - we’re finding that cycling and wine tours are getting popular, as is the more adventurous stuff. People looking for those unique experiences don’t have to travel to places like Florida anymore. They can do it all here.”

“Of course, we have a lot of Americans coming too,” Forget added. “I was in Niagara Falls during the last Memorial Day weekend and eight out of 10 vehicles had U.S. licence plates. It’s really encouraging for us to see that tourists are coming back with the dollar being how it is.”

Ontario Travel has also recently launched a Trip Planner at www.ontariotravel.net, allowing travellers to map out a vacation of any size by offering suggested attractions and itineraries.

“We try and make it really easy ,” Forget said. “Once you decide where you want to go, it will show all the attractions around that place where you’re staying.”

PHOTO: Of Ontario Travel: Lydia McCourt, corporate communications manager; Hector MacQuarrie, travel counsellor; Kevin Forget, travel promotions officer; & Tija Lidums, travel counsellor