With the summer season well underway, those tasked with attracting visitors to the region are buoyed by what was an excellent first five months of the year in that regard.
According to Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8), which markets the Kawarthas Northumberland region as a tourism destination, $377 million was spent by visitors up to the end of May, with a visitor classified as anyone who travels at least 40 kilometres to the region.
RTO8 executive director Brenda Wood says that early 2025 result follows the expenditure of $1.3 billion by region visitors in 2024 – the vast majority from locations across Ontario.
Wood notes the variety of attractions and experiences continues to serve the region very well.
Wood agrees that the most important tourism booster remains the people who live and work here, each an ambassador for the region.
(Written by: Paul Rellinger)