RELEASED: Monday, March 28, 2016

1340733767858_ORIGINAL

Most tourists know all about Orillia’s connection to folk legend Gordon Lightfoot and famed humorist Stephen Leacock.

But finding those little gems that make a visit to the region all that more rewarding can only help strengthen the visitor experience.

That’s part of the plan behind a new research project striving to create a definitive list of the region’s tourism assets with a goal of aiding the sector for years to come.

“We’re trying to complete an inventory,” said Wendy Timpano, general manager of the Orillia Area Community Development Corporation, one of the project’s partners.

Timpano said the ongoing project involves compiling an inventory of positive tourism assets for development and promotion in the region.

As well, Timpano said, fully understanding where the opportunities lie in the tourism sector could create potential future growth by attracting new tourism development to the area.

“The survey is live and we’ve had a great response already,” she said, noting area businesses that count tourism revenue on their balance sheets are encouraged to fill out the survey along with others in the community to ensure the list doesn’t leave anything out.

“It could even be a local person who attends events. We also want feedback from visitors.”

Study results are expected to be ready for fellow partner Ontario’s Lake Country’s annual general meeting scheduled for June 9 at Casino Rama.

Conducted by Sierra Planning and Management, the $50,000 study is being funded equally with $25,000 coming from the province’s Tourism Development Fund and the balance coming from regional partners that also include Regional Tourism Organization 7, Tourism Simcoe County, the City of Orillia, the townships of Oro-Medonte, Ramara and Severn, along with Chippewas of Rama First Nation.

Timpano said the study will help build an even stronger tourism sector and, in turn, local economy while answering a number of key questions for area officials focusing on how to best market existing assets while attracting more visitors and potential tourism development.

“We’re looking for gaps,” she said. “Are there things missing that we could have?”

To learn more about the survey, contact Timpano at 705-325-4903, ext. 106, or [email protected].

 

Source: Packet & Times