Muskoka, Ontario - What's green, creates enormous job opportunities and
spins billions into local economies at relatively low cost? Here's a
hint - it's not Monster.com. Tourism is one of Canada's top industries
in job creation, business capitalization and overall economic benefit
to society.
The nice thing about tourism is that it's green and has a soft impact on the environment when compared to the resource sectors. It not only builds jobs in the service sector directly related to restaurants, resorts and hotels but the hospitality tourism sector also pumps money back into the economy through mega expenditures on infrastructure, commodity supply and contract services etc.
Tourism
is a win/win industry. One of the most important factors when you
attract tourists into the country from other destinations around the
world is that you accomplish several goals:
A/ Bring in new money into the economy rather than just recycling dollars inside the country.
B/ Reduce the trade deficit.
C/
Introduce visitors who are potential investors to other Canadian
markets and services that they may not have considered before visiting
Canada.
D/ Spread international goodwill and the positive word of
mouth that can only help re-enforce a positive image of the people,
customs and economy ... and everyone knows a fresh look at
international hospitality diplomacy is in order following the Bush
foreign policy doctrine. Tourism and hospitality are synonymous in the
truest sense.
E/ Let's face it, Canada has a lot to offer and is
one of the most desirable countries in the world to live, work and play
....Canada needs skilled labour to compete, and tourism is the first
step to attracting skilled resources to the country.
Canadian's
are anxiously digesting the outcome of the Jan 27th/09 Conservative
budget. While we know that well in advance, sources have leaked out the
overall pot of available funding with certain expectations of
infrastructure money and tax relief, the specifics are less than clear
and may take some months to understand and work their way into the
Canadian economy. One thing is for sure, almost everyone is in
agreement that some measure of economic stimulus is in order. One would
also be hard pressed to find an economist that wouldn't agree that
increasing tourism expenditures is one of the most effective and timely
ways to disperse money throughout the economy with little or no lag
time on the resulting economic stimulus. "It's a race car revved up and
ready to go," says Mark Coles, a web based marketing expert with many
hospitality industry clients. "It's market ready and just needs an
injection of advertising dollars - the positive economic results will
cascade across the economy," adds Coles.
Some areas like Ontario are facing a manufacturing meltdown due to offshore competition, high energy costs, labour costs, inability to secure operating capital, and in some cases, simply bad management and poor planning. The nice thing about the tourism economy is it is well diversified and has beneficial effects on all Canadians. Most importantly, it has low environmental consequences and it benefits the socio-economic groups that have the highest potential of spending earned money into a plethora of other economic sectors.
Ontario by example is a popular tourist destination from many national perspectives. The Canadian dollar is low and an advantage for most out of country visitors, and Ontario has a wide mix of outdoor adventure, cottage country resorts, as well as big city conferences, shopping and hotel facilities. Ontario is also blessed with a number of world class destination attractions to market. Of importance to many offshore markets, Ontario has easy travel access - one can land in Toronto and be in a pristine lakeside wilderness setting in less than two hours. Good examples are world renowned Algonquin Provincial Park and the well branded Muskoka travel region.
"We're hoping that the Federal budget investment in stimulus will include infrastructure dollars and direct marketing dollars that filter into the tourism sector where there is already some momentum, but with the existing capacity to grow. In Ontario, the tourism sector is a huge economic benefit that can fill the gap and create massive employment opportunities at the same time. Tourism is always a great creator of wealth for all classes of society," says Rick Breckbill the owner of Severn Lodge (http://www.severnlodge.on.ca), an exclusive traditional Muskoka Resort on Georgian Bay. "We're expecting that this economic downturn is a great opportunity for resorts and hospitality in general to take advantage of low cost money and stimulus incentives to recapitalize tourism infrastructure while at the same time, providing an economic injection of new jobs as a direct result of government increases in tourism marketing," adds Breckbill.
The formula bears consideration. It's clear that if we can attract a bigger slice of the tourism pie from increased marketing of tourism product the resulting hospitality related new construction, renovations and purchasing of products and services will achieve a fast and far reaching boost to the economy. "This isn't just about service jobs," says Breckbill ... "this is also about attracting new money, infrastructure development in the private sector and spreading the wealth throughout the Canadian economy in a very green and environmentally friendly way."
Many economists would support the premise that tourism provides perhaps the largest potential for stimulus and most certainly the quickest and widest broadcast method to pump money into the economy and get things flowing again. Hospitality operators, associations and developers are pouring over the fine print of the budget hoping in earnest that it will help their industry and allow them their contribution to help bring this economy out of its economic funk.
About Severn
Lodge: A Muskoka resort famous for its luxury accommodations, delicious
meals and spectacular waterfront setting, the historic Severn Lodge has
been a favourite Ontario resort for family vacations, romantic couple’s
getaways, corporate retreats and wedding receptions. One of Georgian
Bay and the Muskoka Lakes tourist region’s premier full service
lakefront resorts, Severn Lodge offers a variety of charming rooms,
suites and cottages, as well as extensive recreational facilities,
complete conference facilities and fine dining, perfect for both
discriminating vacationers and business travelers. For information on
inclusive resort vacation packages & other affordable getaway
packages, call Severn Lodge toll free 1-800-461-5817 or visit the web
site http://www.severnlodge.on.ca.
Contact Information:
Rick Breckbill – Owner
Severn Lodge
116 Gloucester Trail
PO Box 250
Port Severn, Ontario L0K 1S0
Toll free: 1-800-461-5817
Local: 705-756-2722
info@severnlodge.on.ca
http://www.severnlodge.on.ca