For Immediate Release
February 7, 2008

MAKING OXFORD COUNTY EVEN MORE ATTRACTIVE TO VISITORS

McGuinty Government Helps Community Set Tourism Priorities

OXFORD COUNTY - Tourism Oxford is conducting a survey across Oxford's eight municipalities to help determine the best way to attract more visitors.

The province will contribute $17,000 to help Tourism Oxford conduct surveys and develop a strategic plan that will guide tourism priorities from 2009 to 2012.

"This initiative will give Oxford Tourism, and its partner, Oxford Small Business Support Centre Inc., the tools they need to explore and develop new ways to attract tourists and new business," said Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

"Our community can now begin to assess the county's current tourism industry, and see how we can improve it," said Cathy Bingham, tourism specialist at Tourism Oxford. "This project will help us set the groundwork for our strategic plan to not only revitalize the area's tourism business climate, but also increase visitors to Oxford County."

Today's investment was made through the Rural Economic Development (RED) Program, which invests in community-based projects that support sustainable rural economies in three priority areas: improved access to health care services, revitalized communities and downtowns, and enhanced skills training.

Through the RED Program, the province has invested $46.7 million in 144 projects, representing a total investment of $478.2 million in rural Ontario, since 2003. The Ontario government and its partners are building strong rural communities that work better for the people who live in them.

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Contacts:
Kelly Synnott
Minister's Office
416-326-6439

Brent Ross
Communications Branch
416-326-9342