How Ontario Resorts Will Benefit From The New 2009 Provincial Budget
By Andrew John Cocks | Muskoka Resorts
How Ontario Resorts Will Benefit From The New 2009 Provincial Budget
Article by Resorts Muskoka
Ontario resorts anticipate a stronger season ahead. With a lower Canadian dollar, many recession-weary American tourists will once again be visiting Ontario resort areas, like Muskoka and Haliburton, where their dollar goes much further. In Ontario, tourism is big business. Its tourism sector contributes annually approximately $ 22 billion to the province’s economy. To this end, Ontario’s new budget includes strategies to strengthen and grow the province’s tourism industry. The measures that support Ontario’s tourism industry included in the 2009 Ontario budget, demonstrate the government’s commitment to tourism and their acknowledgement of how crucial tourism is to job creation, economic growth, and its long term potential.
Delivering on some of the recommendations outlined in the recently published Tourism Competitiveness Study, the 2009 Ontario budget proposes measures that will assist both the government and tourist industry to become more competitive. If the Budget is passed, one of the recommendations of the Competitiveness Study that would be put into action is a substantial investment in new funding to enhance Ontario’s tourism attractions. Over a three year period, $ 41 million will be spent on revitalization projects and infrastructure improvements to tourist attractions, such as parks and historic sites. Over a two year period the Ontario government will also invest $ 32.5 billion in other types of infrastructure that would benefit the tourism sector. This would include $ 273 million for transportation improvements for roads and bridges in Northern and rural Ontario and $ 219 million for new highway projects in Southern Ontario.
Another proposal contained in the McGuinty government’s new budget that would directly benefit the province’s tourism sector is a planned $ 4.5 billion in tax relief for small businesses. Small business is the backbone of Ontario tourism. As well, there is a proposed increase in spending on summer employment opportunities for youth which will greatly benefit tourist sector businesses. Summer students make up a large part of the labour supply servicing the seasonal tourism sector and Ontario resort industry.
In addition, the proposed single, value-added sales tax is estimated to save businesses more than $ 500 million a year in paperwork costs and greatly reduce the tax burden on business investment by providing input tax credits. The estimated net revenue generated from the proposed three per cent increase in RST rate collected on hotel and resort accommodations would come to approximately $ 40 million. This would be used for additional tourism marketing as a further investment in the tourist industry.
More investment in Ontario tourism advertising is crucial to the growth and the success of the industry. Ontario has a wonderful tourism product and, with the government’s help word should get out to the rest of the world, improving Ontario’s competitiveness as a tourism destination. Ontario tourism needs to be marketed more in the United States and Europe and, if the 2009 budget is passed, this may indeed happen. With its magnificent scenery and many fine resorts, Ontario makes a wonderful vacation destination and the low Canadian dollar just sweetens the deal.
Resorts Muskoka offers a wide selection of accommodation styles and resort amenities and represents some of the finest Ontario resort properties, including Inn At The Falls, The Muskokan, Trillium Resort & Spa, and Wigamog Inn Resort. Visit (http://www.resortsmuskoka.com) to learn more about Resorts Muskoka.
Contact Information:Krista Havenaar Resorts Muskoka 3876 Hwy 118 WestPort Carling, ON P0B 1J01-866-960-9016 416-960-9016krista@muskokanclub.comhttp://www.resortsmuskoka.com
Muskoka’s retreat for the Furry Elite since April 1, 1996! Experience is worth the extra distance. We pioneered cage free pet care in true Muskoka resort and kid-camp style. We are the alternative to conventional kennels with concrete, chain link and the 3 daily walk promises! We are the alternative to congested dog yards and commercial concrete playrooms. Our guests are made at home in an appropriate lodge, cottage or home setting for their size, breed and need. They enjoy freedom to come and go between communal fireplace lounges with open pet-sized rooms perfect for a private snack or nap, and one or more of our 12 fully fenced dog parks and playgrounds on 25 acres of ponds, meadows and woodlands. Our favourite lab / retriever sized dog park is almost 10 acres in size with a huge swimming pond! Guests enjoy Muskoka resort atmosphere. They can run, play, and swim all day if they want to totally curfew free and collar free. Happy Tail Pet Resort and Camp provide assurance and joy for pet and owner alike.
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