At least one city councillor is urging Orillia to get in on the Provincial tourism dollars.
The City will be competing with other municipalities for marketing dollars within Regional Tourism Organization (RTO) 7 – which encompasses Simcoe, Grey, and Bruce Counties.
Ward Two Councillor Pete Bowen says this is all the reason in the world for the city to get moving on a tourism plan – so as not to miss out on the funds.
Bowen says he doesnt agree with the way the RTO’s are set up – adding the three counties which make up RTO 7 are highly diverse areas with entirely different needs.
However, he says since the system is in place and there is very little that can be done about it – the City should do what it can to get some Government money.
Bowen suggests the city should be collecting as much input as possible from local tourism operators on how best to market the region – as the available funding is strictly for marketing costs.
Bowen would like the issue to be forwarded to the Orillia Economic Development Committee who will then prepare a report to council.
