INVESTMENT AIMS TO INCREASE TOURISM AT FORT HENRY
McGuinty Government Revitalizing Historical Site

Ontario is giving tourists more reason to visit the Fort Henry Historical Site, a vital component of tourism in eastern Ontario that contributes to the economic prosperity of many communities along the St. Lawrence River.

Ontario will invest $10 million to increase the site’s tourist appeal by:

* Constructing a state-of-the-art visitor centre to take advantage of Fort Henry’s UNESCO World Heritage status.
* Enhancing Sunset Ceremonies – an exciting event that recreates the battle tactics of over a century ago – with 21st century technology.
* Upgrading its retail outlet to make it more appealing to visitors.

This announcement is part of a proposed $23 million investment through the 2009 Budget in the St. Lawrence Parks Commission – an agency of the Ontario government -- to improve the quality of its attractions and to make the local tourism industry more competitive.

QUOTES

“Revitalizing Fort Henry into a top-notch tourist attraction is part of our government’s commitment to building a stronger and more competitive economy. Heritage tourism has a large potential for growth and we want to ensure communities along the St. Lawrence River can compete in the global tourism market and develop into world-class destinations.”
- Monique Smith, Minister of Tourism

“Since the United Nations awarded it World Heritage status in 2007, Fort Henry has become an even more important tourist draw for our region. This investment helps lay the groundwork for a stronger, more prosperous tourism industry in the Kingston area.”
- John Gerretsen, MPP for Kingston and The Islands.

QUICK FACTS

* Fort Henry, the Rideau Canal, and the Kingston Fortifications were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.
* In the 2009 Ontario budget, capital investments for the tourism sector included $33 million for revitalization projects at Huronia Historical Parks and St. Lawrence Parks Commission sites, as well as $8 million for infrastructure improvements at Fort William Historical Park.
* Approximately 300,000 people in Ontario are directly or indirectly employed by the tourism industry.

LEARN MORE

Learn about Fort Henry.

Discover things to do in Ontario.

Lisa DiLollo, Tourism Minister’s Office, (416) 325-4543
Mark Thompson, Communications Branch, (416) 325-8391 ontario.ca/tourism-news
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