Review-Mirror

By Margaret Brand The Review-Mirror The Rideau Waterway could be hosting more self-touring boats and European visitors with the potential investment from one of the largest travel companies in the world. That's just one of a number of new invest- ments residents in the region could be seeing on the water because of the assistance of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Cul- ture and Sport. They have been court- ing new investment on the Rideau since 2013 with a visit to the World Canals Conference as part of its implementation of a Tourism Investment Strat- egy. TUI le boat which oper- ates self-hiring boating in England, Scotland, Ire- land, France, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Italy, and Poland could be com- ing to the Rideau. Representatives from the market leader in self- hire boating visited the canal last summer. "I don't want to take a lot of credit. We've finally succeeded this summer in having one of the largest recreational companies in the world visit us. They have about 25 million cus- tomers 26 per cent are German They're present all over the world. They own hotels," said Parks Canada Waterways Direc- tor Darlene Upton. Staff from the tourism ministry presented the ini- tiative to the public last Friday at the United Coun- ties annual economic sum- mit in Kemptville. On Tuesday Upton was pre- senting the good news to tourism stakeholders at a Rideau Canal tourism stakeholder gathering in Smiths Falls. Upton thinks good things could be happening from that visit when they heard from the company representatives that 'This place is the best of every destination we have in the world in one place'. "The canal, the land- scape the communities they'd visited, the people they'd met, the lock staff they had met - it was everything. At that moment we thought, this could actually happen. We are continuing to work with them," said Upton who's anticipating good things could come out of the new venture. "This is significant investment they are look- ing to make, so these com- panies don't make this lightly. They've already done a fair amount of mar- ket research themselves to know this is a destination their clients would come to. If we're able to get a company like this to come in we are looking at the Rideau being marketed to 30 million people around the world," she said. "It will start small but it will be a boost to every- body in this region and I'm sure that it will be quite a positive thing," she said. Tui le boat is just one of the self-hire boat compa- nies which the tourism ministry has been courting for investment along Ontario's inland water- ways which could reap dividends for local com- munities. The Parks Canada Rideau Canal Economic Impact Study 2010/11 estimated money spent per boat per day on transporta- tion, accommodation, food and beverage, recre- ation and entertainment to be $244.52 per day. More than 180 business owners, not-for-profit organizations and govern- ment representatives were in attendance at the annual Leeds Grenville Economic Development Summit last Friday at the North Grenville Municipal Cen- tre. The day featured a wide variety of speakers and presentations. St. Lawrence College repre- sentatives presented "3D Printing and its Future" Justin Martin President 613-530-0773 RR 2 Westport, ON K0G 1X0 jtmartin@kingston.net 4 Septic Systems 4 Excavating 4 Landscaping 4 Road Work 4 Rock Excavating 4 Trucking 4 Residential & Commercial Snow Plowing & Sanding 4 Damp Proofing LTD. 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 43 Bedford St., Westport 613-273-8848 soho@rideau.net Mirror The Review Thursday, November 26, 2015 Serving North Leeds and area since 1893 Vol. 123, No. 47 $1 incl. tax Santa took some time to meet with the children after the Lyndhurst parade Saturday. Photo by Margaret Brand Tourism ministry seeking to attract boat tour companies to the Rideau Canal u sh Get your Don't go viral. eet (613) 273-2922 h Str c 3 Chur .A. estport Village I.D W ca ot. al.ca vir dontgo •Continued on page 3 Live music will be ring- ing through the streets of Westport this Saturday, during the Lions' annual Santa Claus Parade. The highlights of the parade after Santa Claus are the Gordon Pipe Band, The Perth Citizens Band, The Rideau District High School Band, The Tri-Can band as well as King of the Swingers. Entrants in the parade will be competing for the best interpretation of this year's parade theme 'An Irish Christmas'. The parade is an oppor- tunity for groups and busi- nesses to showcase their organization while con- tributing to the pleasure of this year's kick-off to the Christmas season. The Lions will be col- lecting donations for the Westport and Area Food Bank during the parade. After the parade chil- dren can visit Santa at St. Edward School. The parade route goes down Bedford Street, Church to Rideau and Main before returning to the school via Bedford. Marshalling for the parade begins at 12:30 at St. Edward's School. Pre- registration is encouraged. Phone Lions parade chair Dale Lyons at 613-273- 2064 for registration or information. The North Crosby Hall Board is also hosting a visit from Santa Claus this Saturday, from 9 a.m. until noon at the North Crosby Hall at Shillington Park. This year's event includes crafts colouring and a snack table as well as the opportunity to visit with Santa Claus. The hall board is also welcoming donations to the food bank. Santa in Westport Saturday Call 359-5660 53 Main St., Elgin duncan s TV & APPLIANCES Experience luxury with the complete line-up of GREAT CHRISTMAS IDEAS Continuing a 30 year tradition serving North Leeds - Delivery & Set Up Available SMALL APPLIANCES

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