Tourism Northern Ontario (TNO) has launched a new program aimed at growing fishing tourism and kickstarting economic growth in the French River area.
Experience Fishing, to be developed in partnership with the French River Resorts Association and Northeastern Ontario Tourism, aims to develop new products, grow capacity and access new markets, according to the TNO.
“The Experience Fishing Program will provide operators with the necessary tools, resources and support to implement the program into their existing operations,” the TNO said in a release. “Building on the current successes of attracting avid fisherman to the French River area, this program will specifically target non-avid fisherman, women, children and new Canadian residents.”
A number of operator and community stakeholder consultations will take place over the next few weeks. Karen Jones Consulting Inc. has been retained to assist with the implementation of this initiative.
“Fishing has a significant impact on Northern Ontario’s economy and it is critical that we foster long-term growth and prosperity of the tourism sector,” TNO president Marty Kalagian said in the release.
Tourism Northern Ontario is one of 13 not-for-profit regional tourism organizations funded by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. It covers the largest tourism region in geography, the second largest in expenditure and the only region that includes sub-regions.
