Partnership restructuring at Ontario's Near North

Ontario's Near North Travel Association
News Release

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Tourism businesses located in the Near North Travel Area are being provided with new and innovative marketing tools for the 2008 tourism season.

Ontario's Near North Travel Association has recently released the 2007/08 edition of its Marketing Opportunities Catalogue which highlights its brand new partnership structure and the many benefits of doing business with the organization. The 43 page document outlines the marketing programs that will be used to market and promote the region in 2008. Some of the programs include a Support Those that Support Tourism online catalogue; co-operative media advertising opportunities; brochure distribution programs; the 60 page Near North Welcome Guide; and the new Regional Tourism Map, available both in print and on-line.

“The new catalogue has been very well received by the industry and is a valuable tool for local businesses to help promote this multi-million dollar industry to potential vacationers and travelers” said Laurie Ypya, Executive Director of the Association.

“According to the most recent tourism impact study, released in 2003, it was estimated that annual expenditures by tourists generate $125 million in the Near North region and the local tourism industry generates 2,232 jobs with a total employment income of $65.2 million. Combined municipal, provincial and federal taxes generated by tourism spending in the region exceed 65 million annually, either directly or indirectly.”

The Near North region extends from Novar in the south to Temagami in the north, Mattawa in the east to Warren in the west. The travel association has been serving the local tourism industry since 1974.

Ypya stated “with the many challenges currently facing the tourism industry we need to work together to promote all that our region has to offer. We urge local businesses interested in promoting their products to contact the Near North office and get their copy of the Marketing Opportunities Catalogue.”

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