McGuinty Government Supports Tourism Sector, Creates Jobs

TORONTO, June 29, 2012 /CNW/ - Ontario is home to 147,000 tourism businesses that are preparing for their busiest season. These tourism businesses were pumping $21 billion dollars into the province's economy until new industry statistics were released today by Ontario's Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

Last year, visits to the province increased by 1.3 per cent. This means Ontario welcomed more than 104 million visitors into the province, with positive increases from emerging markets such as China, India and Brazil.

Visitors spent 3.6 per cent more in 2011 ($18.3 billion) than in 2010 ($17.6 billion). As a result, Ontario's tourism receipts increased by 4.3 per cent to $23.6 billion, creating jobs in the industry.

"These numbers prove that investing in Ontario's tourism industry by collaborating with the industry, making traveling easier and more affordable, is a great return on investment for governments," said Beth Potter, President of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario. "Last year the province alone collected $4 billion in taxes from the tourism industry. These revenues help pay for the education and health care Ontarians enjoy. And, our industry has the potential to do more," Potter went on to say.

Ontario's tourism businesses work hard to ensure that Ontario is branded as a premier travel destination. They continue to host major national and international conventions and events, create new attractions and festivals in order to welcome more visitors from around the world.

To find out more information about Ontario's tourism industry visit http://tiaontario.ca/news.

The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) is the umbrella organization for leading associations, destination marketing organizations, regional tourism organizations and 147,000 businesses serving Ontario's diverse tourism industry. TIAO provides a strong unified voice for the sector, advocating the importance of tourism and the interests of the business community to all levels of government in order to help the industry grow and prosper.

For further information:

Farnaz Farrokhi
Manager, Communications
Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO)
Mobile: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]