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Province doles out $1.4M to Science North to help boost tourism in 2021

Science centre develops travelling road show and other promotional material to help hard-hit tourism sector
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With 2021 being touted by the province as the year of the staycation, it’s only fitting that Ontario is providing $1.4 million to help Science North develop regionally tailored events that will stimulate economic activity and tourism in the North.

The tourism industry has been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, said Greg Rickford, minister of Energy, Mines, Northern Development and Indigenous Affairs, during a press conference over Zoom on Wednesday morning.

"Before COVID-19, we had a vibrant tourism sector here in the North, so it is crucial that we look at innovative ways to support our local attractions as we plan for recovery and adjustment," said Rickford. "Today's investment in Science North is directly contributing to the sustainability of our northern tourism industry."

Starting in the second half of 2021, Science North will launch The Great Northern Ontario Roadshow. This promotional tour will travel to more than 50 communities to highlight some of the tremendous tourist attractions and natural wonders located throughout the North.

Through this roadshow the science centre hopes to generate revenue for tourism operations impacted by COVID-19. Furthermore, the tour will maintain pandemic protocols.

The Great Northern Ontario Roadshow will involve private- and public-sector partners using their collective expertise to give local and regional audiences access to new and exciting experiences across the North, said Dr. Stephen Kosar, chair of the board for Science North.

Prior to pandemic, more than six million tourists travelled to Northern Ontario, said Guy Labine, CEO, Science North. As a result of the pandemic, there is now only a fraction of that attendance.

Labine called the impact of COVID-19 “devastating.”

The road show, he said, will help in the recovery as the pandemic starts to ease, and it aligns with the province’s focus on the year of the staycation.

The project will create 140 jobs and contribute $3.4 million in direct and value-added benefits to the economy.

“We want to make the 2021 tourism industry and beyond better than it ever has been,” said Labine.

"This has been an incredibly challenging time for our tourism agencies, who have all taken immediate action to reduce costs where possible and help keep visitors safe,” said Lisa MacLeod, minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. “I am proud that our government is supporting Science North with this investment, and I am confident it will continue to contribute to the economic and social recovery of our province."

Funding for the project is being delivered through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC).


 

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Arron Pickard

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