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Ontario Tourism Overview
- Ontario - Canada's Tourism Magnet. In 2004, 48% of visitors to Canada came to Ontario and contributed 34% of Canada's tourism revenues.
- Tourism is a Proven Employment Sector. With over 156,000 businesses related to tourism products and services
representing over 18% of all business in Ontario. In 2004, Ontario tourism generated $21.8 billion in annual revenues and accounted
for approximately 486,000 jobs.
- Vibrant and Sustainable Economy. Ontario is regarded as Canada's economic engine. Ontario generates more than 40%
of Canada's GDP while engaging in almost half of the country's trade.
- Favourable Cost Structure Geared for Profit. From salaries and benefits to energy, rent and professional services,
Ontario's business costs provide extraordinary investment value.
- Geographic Centre of North America. With a landmass of more than 400,000 square miles, and a border that
stretches almost halfway across the United States, we are as big as France and Spain combined. With access to over
130 million people within a day's drive, Ontario has 20 road, rail, and water border crossings with the United States.
- True Four Season Destination Market. Ontario has 272 provincial parks, 44 ski areas, 600 golf courses, the longest
freshwater beach in the world (on Georgian Bay), and the most diverse hunting and fishing in North America.
- Diverse Multicultural Population Base. Ontario encompasses over 100 ethnic cultures represented within
a province of over 12.2 million people - greater than one third of Canada's population. More than half of all new Canadians
settle in Ontario and contribute to the richness of Ontario's high quality of life.
- Proven Entrepreneurial Spirit. Nearly 70% of Ontario's tourism - related businesses are comprised of one to four
employees and family owned and operated businesses.
- Educated Workforce. Of the 10 Canadian provinces, Ontario contributes more than one-third of total amount
spent on education throughout its 40 community colleges and 20 universities.
- Tourism Forecasts Continued Growth. In 2004, Ontario's tourism industry generated over
$21 billion in tourism receipts, spent by 114 million visitors. Forecasts from 2005-2009 indicate a strong year-over-year
projection in number of visitors to Ontario.
- Demonstrated Commitment by the Province of Ontario. Tourism is Ontario's 7th largest export industry
and the Government of Ontario recognizes its importance as an economic generator and contributor to a higher
quality of life. Ontario's Tourism Strategy identifies strategic directions and key enabling mechanisms which offers
continued sustainability and growth for Ontario's tourism industry.
Ontario's Investment and Development Office assists in facilitating new product development and encouraging tourism investment.
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