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I. . WA) mum) (Imam ~denaodly. M 'ds.2tt07 '--- For more information call: - PmrmmmaoitrsimrMsrC- 519-894-2250 ext. 3226 WATERIbO CHRONICLE Fax# 519-886-9383 279 Weber St. N. Suite 20,Waterioo, ON Nu 3H8 0 Please tind a cheque for S26.00 enclosed for a 1 year corttriMtion I'd like to pay by 0 VISA 0 MASTERCARD Canto: _____. Exp, Date: ------- I'd like to contribute to the Waterloo Chronicle! PostalCodc s the summer trl “1(er Aroma along, n Its proha- ly appropriate m focus our discussion on one at Water loo Region's most important industries - tourism In 2004, visitors to Waterloo Region generated 5390 million in revenue. supported 3.200 jobs and provided sc, million in total municipal taxes. While these indicators are impressive. activity has general, ly been decreasing due in large part to signmcamly fewer vim - tors to Ontario from the United States. A recent report released by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism notes that in May 2007. US. border crossings into Ontario declined by approximately 12.9 per cent from May 2006. Overnight trips decreased by 3.8 percent while same-day travel dropped by an alarming 18.8 per cent. New tourism plan a good idea For the first five months of 2007, US. border crossings into Ontario declined 19 per cent from the previous year, with 51 per cent fewer entries than the peak year of 1998. The trend of declining visitor statistics has. beneficially for local businesses, been 1ecog- nized and acted upon by our municipal governments. In May a 2006, a discussion paper on tourism was drafted and released by the municipal chief administrative ofticers in Waterloo Region. The report noted a consensus within the industry and local governments that improvements are required in the delivery of tourism serv- ices. A historically fragmented approach has resulted in the lack of a coherent marketing strategy, a low profile and lower revenues than many neigh- bouring southwestern Ontario municipalities. A recommendation was marketing will generate Similar advanced for the creation of a successes. new regional tourism marketing - organization that will encour- Todd letts is president and age more visitors to our com- CEO, and Art Sinclair is policy munity with longer stays. ad visor for the Greater Kitchener The presence of a regional Waterloo Chamber ofCom- co-ordination; body has proven merce, Ontario's largest artredit~ to be successful in Hamilton ed Chamber afCommerce. and London. and a sum-s of industry consultation sessions indicated strung support for “mung ahead on thrs proposal the mm orgauizarot, mm known ax mu Waterloo Regional Tourism MarkeungCorp., p, currently in the process of recruiting a general manager who will lead initial marketing and research efforts Minding will be provided by municipal govemmems and local busi- nesses through membership fees and partnerships. The Greater Kiwhencr Waterloo Chamber of Com- merce is strongly supportive of this new tourism initiative, as it is consistent with our objective of better service co-ordination among the Region ofWaterloo and the seven local municipali- mes. The collaborative regional approach to economic develop- ment implemented by Canada's Technology Triangle has proven successful in attracting employ- ers, investment and jobs to our region, and we are optimistic that the new model for tourism marketing will generate similar successes.