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Press Release
November 7, 2002

Local Tourism Industry Continues to Grow

Renfrew County tourism operators are calling the summer of 2002 a season of success.

"We were extremely busy," comments Josee Tourigny, owner of Hilltop Bed and Breakfast in Laurentian Valley Township. "It was better than we'd expected," she adds. Tourigny is no stranger to the hospitality business, and is very familiar with the Ottawa Valley. "I came back home," she says of her decision to return here after working in the Lake Louise resort area. "I saw an opportunity here and a need," she adds.

International tourism played a big part in this year's success throughout the Ottawa Valley. Several tourism operators reported an increase in international visitors compared to last year. "This past summer we have noticed an increase in people from all over North America, Europe and Australia visiting Renfrew County,” states Sharon Taylor of Barry’s Bay Outfitters. "The area is developing a solid reputation as a great place to visit,” Taylor says.

Visits from the United States were also up this year, with many Americans choosing to stay relatively close to home for their holidays in response to the September 11 attacks. "The Ottawa Valley is safe, it's an interesting place to visit, it’s affordable, easily accessible and that news is spreading," states Judy Hugli, OVTA Tourism Marketing Coordinator.

Tourism plays a big part in the local economy. Over sixty million dollars is generated annually from tourism expenditures in the Ottawa Valley. The OVTA promotes cooperation in the local tourism industry, producing marketing materials and coordinating initiatives that promote individual businesses and the whole region.

"We have to work together to draw visitors here," Hugli says. "We all gain through this type of team approach." Sharon Taylor, Barry’s Bay Outfitters agrees, “the more promotion we do together, the better it is for the economy in Renfrew County”.

(For more information, contact Judy Hugli, Tourism Marketing Coordinator, OVTA, 732-4364.)

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