Ontario is supporting winter tourism by promoting the sustainability of snowmobile trails across the province. The Honourable Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism and Culture, has announced a $3 million winter tourism investment through the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC), the not-for-profit, volunteer-driven organization that manages and maintains snowmobile trails in Ontario.
“Ontario families and visitors will get to enjoy snowmobiling this winter on quality trails. Snowmobiling is attracting new and returning visitors and enticing Ontario families with exciting reasons to travel in Ontario,” said Minister Chan.
Ontario’s snowmobile trail system is the largest and most developed in Canada, with an international reputation for quality and safety. Attracting new and returning visitors to snowmobile this winter is part of the Province’s Open Ontario plan to create a stronger, more competitive tourism industry.
Approximately 293,000 domestic visitors participated in snowmobiling-related activities in 2008. Ontario attracts 24% of all domestic visitors participating in snowmobiling in Canada. Earmarked to enhance Ontario’s snowmobiling experience by developing signature tourism loops and removing barriers to winter touring, the provincial funding will be invested by the OFSC in infrastructure and technology projects during the upcoming season.
“As Ontario’s only world class outdoor winter product, snowmobiling generates upwards of $1 billion annually for the provincial economy,“ said Brenda Welsh, OFSC president. “This investment by the McGuinty Government will not only boost local economies throughout rural and Northern Ontario, but it will also help give the entire winter tourism sector a competitive edge.”
The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs is non-profit organization dedicated to providing strong leadership and support to member clubs and volunteers, to establishing and maintaining quality snowmobile trails which are used in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, and to furthering the enjoyment of organized snowmobiling.
