Ontario Resorts Get Economic Boost As Summer Like Weather Arrives In April

According to Environment Canada, this past winter was the driest and the warmest recorded since they began compiling detailed data in 1948. Temperatures hit a national average of 4 degrees above normal and precipitation was 22 per cent below normal. For Ontario summer resorts the good news continues as Environment Canada's long-range seasonal prediction are for the record-breaking trend to continue into the spring and summer months, with forecasted temperatures across Ontario, and most of the rest of Canada, to remain above the national average. Judging by the number of inquiries about spring and summer vacation packages received over the past two weeks by Severn Lodge (http://www.severnlodge.on.ca), a landmark Muskoka resort for more than 80 years, many Canadians seem to be anticipating more of the same for the summer months as well.

The last couple of seasons have been hard on Ontario tourism and Ontario resorts in particular. The negative impact on Ontario tourism caused by the 2008, 2009 recession was made worse by two seasons of poor summer weather, with cooler than normal temperatures and plenty of rain. The unfortunate combination of the world-wide economic slowdown and bad summer weather throughout Ontario resulted in a significant drop in Ontario resort vacation bookings. For the 2010 summer season, things are looking up. El Nino, the climate pattern in the Pacific that experts feel is responsible for the predicated high summer temperatures, is expected to stick around for some time. As well, Canada's economy is on the rebound and there is a pent up demand for vacations.
A survey that was recently conducted by the Hotel Association of Canada found that 79 per cent of leisure tourists are expected to travel in 2010 as much or more than they usually do. According to Tony Pollard, the president of the Hotel Association of Canada, half of the people that they surveyed stated that they were vacation deprived. As well, the Canadian Tourism Commission reports a 100% increase in traffic to its travel website over last month. Supported by a $26 million dollar investment by the Canadian government, their 5 year strategy to increase tourism in Canada began with the 2010 Winter Olympic Games where they supplied the world's media with impressive visuals of Canada, promoting Canadian tourism and the unique travel experiences available in every province. Michele McKenzie, the president and CEO of the Canadian Tourism Commission, acknowledges that they have been getting positive feedback, with people expecting a "good year with our economy showing signs of recovery."

With positive economic indicators, favourable international press, and prognostications that the great weather will continue, Ontario's tourism industry can expect an appreciably better year in 2010. "We are very positive about this coming season. Although we were relatively busy last year, business was off slightly," says Rick Breckbill, owner of Severn Lodge. "Severn Lodge has been around for a long time so we are fortunate to be able to count on a significant number of returning guests each year. We are also quite diversified from a business standpoint with a steady resort vacation and getaway business in the summer months coupled with conferences and weddings in the spring and fall months which keeps the resort‘s occupancy levels up during slower periods. The sunshine and record- high temperatures that we have been experiencing, especially over the last few days, has inspired many people to call the resort and inquiry about spring and summer bookings. To date, bookings are up over last year. The good weather has been great for business and we anticipate that the phones will keep ringing," states Breckbill.

Contact Information:
Rick Breckbill - Owner
Severn Lodge
116 Gloucester Trail, PO Box 250
Port Severn, Ontario L0K 1S0
Toll free: 1-800-461-5817
Local: 705-756-2722
info@severnlodge.on.ca
http://www.severnlodge.on.ca

Article Source: TravelFreeGuides.com

About the Author

As one of the most popular Ontario resorts, Severn Lodge is located in the world famous Muskoka ~ Georgian Bay Lake District only 90 minutes north of Toronto, and is famous for its spectacular waterfront setting, fine country dining, and friendly courteous hospitality. Owned and operated by the Breckbill family for nearly 80 years, it has been a favourite destination for family vacations, romantic couple's getaways, corporate meetings & retreats, and resort weddings. This Ontario resort features a variety of amenities that are perfect for both the discriminating leisure vacationer and business traveler including charming waterfront rooms, luxury suites & lakeside cottages, delicious meals, extensive resort recreation facilities, complete conference facilities, and more For information on fully inclusive resort vacation packages & other affordable getaway packages, as well as conference and wedding packages, call Severn Lodge toll free 1-800-461-5817or visit their web site http://www.severnlodge.on.ca,

by: rin-emedia

Total views: 4 Word Count: 637 Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2010 Time: 7:29 PM - 0 comments

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