Impact of tourism on area being studied

Ken Johnston
Editor

Efforts are underway to try and nail down concrete facts and figures about the economic impact tourism has on the region.

Geoff Gillon, Economic Development Officer with the Rainy River Future Development Corporation (RRFDC), was a guest speaker at the Rainy River and District Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting last Friday at the CN Hotel.

Gillon said that in the past when the government has acted in a way that affects tourism in Northwestern Ontario, there have been no concrete numbers or facts to use to defend the livelihoods of so many people here. “When the province moved to cancel the spring bear hunt it was a complete guess as to the impact of the hunt had on the (NWO) economy. On the other hand the pulp and paper industry can tell you the impact of actions affecting them right down to the day,” explained Gillon.

In the past 15 years there have been 23 actions affecting tourism in NWO and there has been little data to defend the industry. Gillon noted that the figures they do have don’t seem to be consistent, so RRFDC has taken it upon itself to work with the industry and commission a study to nail down the facts and figures for future use. He noted that RRFDC will be kicking in $5,000 for the Rainy River District’s share of the cost to do the study.

The consultant will also look at what services are available to the tourism industry in the region and which ones are needed as to work at keeping tourism dollars in the region. According to figures Gillon presented to the chamber there is a high number of dollars spent on tourism in NWO leaving the region. However he said that the figures just don’t look right.

NOACC Brass Visits

Tannis Drysdale of Fort Frances, is the current President of the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce (NOACC). She to was a guest speaker at the RRDCC annual meeting last Friday.

Drysdale spoke very highly of the Rainy River District noting that there is so much community spirit alive and well in the area. “The wealth of the land here is the citizens,” said Drysdale who also tooted the horns of small business for being leaders in their communities. “Small businesses support everything, serve on boards, councils and much more.”

While she said she is not supposed to choose a favorite member of NOACC, Drysdale admitted that Rainy River has always excited her with its constant enthusiasm and energetic drive to take on big projects and make them work.

“You take on activities and achieve things that chambers four times bigger than you don’t.”

She explained that NOACC is a strong lobbying tool by which chambers can get grass roots concerns addressed at the provincial and federal government levels. “Each year you pass resolutions that if adopted by NOACC become policy for two years.” From those resolutions the NOACC executive takes the concerns to government and works to make changes that benefit all members throughout NWO.

New Executive

The RRDCC held its elections for the 2002 year. Taking over as president is Patti Palson; Vice-President Lance Lindal; Treasurer is Norma Blight and Secretary is Monica Nelson.