Tourism Hamilton

[astroblaster]

"Less than an hour’s drive from Niagara Falls and Toronto, Hamilton provided me with a convenient base from which to explore the area."

this should be the backbone of our entire strategy

[coalminecanary]

yep - not to mention the opportunity to see a lot more stuff. first of all niagara falls is a cesspool of a city. i couldn't bnelieve how disgusting it was when i went there for a wedding this year. second, toronto is urban, or suburban and nothing much else. hamilton gives you the urban at a manageable scale - plus a hell of a lot of more "nature based" activities - with easy access to toronto and niagara

someone needs to jump start our tourism office, i feel like they are selling us short...

[adam]

Whatever do you mean? What about those fantastic gateway signs? Maybe the tagline "Our synchronized stoplights make sure you're out of the downtown as quick as possible!" They could have each word about 10m apart so highway motorists can read it all

[DC83]

Originally Posted by astroblaster

"Less than an hour’s drive from Niagara Falls and Toronto, Hamilton provided me with a convenient base from which to explore the area."

this should be the backbone of our entire strategy

Lucky for us, TradePort saw this potential when they started to agressively court foreign airlines (hence why Hamilton is listed under Toronto as 'destination' for certain airlines).

For starters, it has to do w/ this inferiority complex we have when it comes to TO.
Tourism Hamilton will think, "Well how can we compete with the CN Tower?"
When they SHOULD be thinking, "How can Hamilton COMPLIMENT the CN Tower? Gondola Ride to the top where one gets a nice, clear view of the Tower; Hamilton + Toronto/Niagara Tourist Packages ie: Niagara Escarpment Tour; Golden Horsehoe Arts Tour..." etc etc

Instead they're concentrated on "How can we make these models look like they're actually at African Lion Safari and paste it into a crap book which has photos that aren't by Flar..."

I had faith in Adames when he first took over Tourism Hamilton years ago... and yet all he's done was work with City Staff on sporting event bids & more crap books with photos by other ppl than Flar.

[raisethehammer]

quote - instead they're concentrated on "How can we make these models look like they're actually at African Lion Safari and paste it into a crap book which has photos that aren't by Flar..."

Haha...classic. So true. Enough of the stupid models. Get real shots of our real city!!! USE FLAR!!!

[fastcarsfreedom]

That is a fantastic article.

[SteelTown]

Sorbara takes shine to local tourism potential

October 03, 2008
Meredith Macleod
The Hamilton Spectator

Hamilton's waterfront has the potential to become "the jewel of the Great Lakes," says Greg Sorbara, the man in charge of putting Ontario on the tourism map.

Sorbara, a veteran Ontario cabinet minister and MPP for Vaughan, landed in Hamilton yesterday, the 11th stop on a 13-leg whistle-stop tour of the province designed to get input for an action plan to revitalize Ontario's $23-billion tourism industry.

He cited the Royal Botanical Gardens and ongoing efforts to reclaim and rejuvenate the waterfront as Hamilton's greatest tourism assets.

Not to mention the literally millions of tourists whizzing by the city on their way to Ontario's top destination, Toronto, and its second-most popular, Niagara.

The city and the province have to find a way to lure more people off the QEW, says Sorbara.

"It's too easy to zip past Hamilton. That has something to do with signage and the way Hamilton is promoted."

As a tourist draw, Hamilton ranks ninth on a list of 49 counties, districts and regions.

Mark Runciman, executive director of the RBG, said he is encouraged by the government's efforts to concentrate on tourism.

"It's long overdue."

He said the RBG has new programs, new gardens and will open new facilities early next year but hasn't been good at blowing its own horn.

"We're hoping to hear ideas about how to do that," he said before yesterday's session, which was closed to the media.

Sorbara said participants have talked about the challenges of the strong Canadian dollar, the large-scale disappearance of American tourists visiting Ontario, and the need to capitalize on growing travel markets in emerging economies such as China, India and Mexico.

Some of Ontario's nearest U.S. neighbours, such as Pennsylvania, Michigan and Ohio, have been particularly hard hit by the economic meltdown.

"People are opting to pay their mortgage over travelling to Ontario," said Sorbara, before sitting down with local stakeholders yesterday.

In fact, tourism visits from the United States to Ontario fell by 14 per cent between 2006 and '07.

Sorbara also says the federal government is "AWOL when it comes to tourism." He points to the fact Canada does not have approved destination status with China, making it very hard for that country's 1.3 billion people to get permission to visit here.

"The federal government should be working aggressively to approve that status. As long as our national relations with China remain a little chilly, we will lose an opportunity."

David Adames, executive director of Tourism Hamilton, said participants at the meeting stressed the need for investment in infrastructure such as public transit, airports, roads, trails, art galleries and museums and passenger rail service.

He also said a bid for the Pan Am Games in 2015 will require money for sports facilities.

Sorbara's report is due out in February.


By the numbers:

$22.8 billion: Total tourism spending in Ontario

307,700: Number of people employed directly and indirectly

111.4 million: Number of visitors to Ontario in 2007

2 per cent: Proportion of visitors from overseas

5 per cent: Proportion of visitors from other parts of Canada

13 per cent: Proportion of visitors from U.S.

80 per cent: Proportion of visitors from Ontario

1st: Ontario's rank as tourism destination in Canada

7th: Rank of tourism among province's exports

18 per cent: Proportion of Ontario businesses geared to tourism

846 million: Number of international tourist visits worldwide in 2006

1.6 billion: Estimated number of international tourist visits worldwide in 2020

[SteelTown]

Hamilton, 'can't miss' experience
CHML
10/29/2008

You can't buy this kind of advertising.

The Buffalo News has an article describing Hamilton as a "can't miss" experience for tourists.

It says with a population of half a million people, the city offers enough to interest a visitor during every season.

It points to 100 waterfalls, a glacier carved national harbour, a botanical garden, museums and a world heritage trail that's so accessible you can hike a wilderness gorge in the morning and sit down to penne pasta in the afternoon.

[SteelTown]

Buffalo News article......

http://www.buffalonews.com/lifearts/...ry/461572.html

[raisethehammer]

no way in heck is Burlington 'just as lovely' as Hamilton! Lol.

[adam]

Hamilton and Burlington cater to different crowds. They are both great places for people to visit.

[drpgq]

Would any Hamilton event qualify for this program? Maybe the Festival of Friends?

By Jordana Huber, Canwest News Service

TORONTO — The federal government is spending $100-million to draw tourists to major festivals and events across the country, a move that is being greeted with a sense of relief by Canada’s beleagured tourism industry.

Under the program, “marquee events” such as the Toronto International Film Festival, Caribana and other established events that draw more than 250,000 visitors are eligible to apply for $3-million per year to stimulate tourism amid the economic woes.

Other events, such as Ottawa’s Tulip Festival, the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal or the Calgary Stampede could also apply if they meet the criteria.
Festivals and events that draw 50,000 visitors, or proposals to develop events with an international presence, will be eligible for $1-million per year in funding.

“Marquee events are a great strategy for attracting people, because people who are passionate about something will still pursue that,” said David Whittaker, of Tourism Toronto.

“The key is making people aware, and that’s why we are so pleased about these funds,” said Mr. Whittaker.

Tourism operators are reporting summer bookings are down 10% and the industry is bracing for further declines, according to the Canadian Tourism Commission.

Mr. Whittaker said many travellers are scaling back or cancelling vacations plans amid the economic uncertainty.

Toronto has already seen a “sluggish” beginning to the year, with overnight visits down 6% he said, adding the city counts on major festivals and events during the summer to draw tourists and with fewer people travelling, competition for tourists is that much tougher.

Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism Diane Ablonczy formally announced the two-year program on Monday.

Ms. Ablonczy said tourism is an under-appreciated economic driver that contributes as much to the country’s wealth as agriculture, fishery and forestry combined.

She said marquee tourism events are huge visitor draws that have a lot of spinoff for restaurants, businesses and other local attractions.

“By investing in these big doorways into Canada and big doorways into our cities and our regions we actually stimulate economic activity in a whole variety of ways,” Ms. Ablonczy said.

With files from Ottawa Citizen

[FairHamilton]

Marquee events don't need the help. It's the smaller ones, outside of large centres that have little budget and are trying to survive and get established that need the help.

Try getting a hotel in Calgary during Stampede, good luck. And I'm willing to bet that even with the economy it will just as hard this coming summer. Hotel rates might be a little lower, but they'll all be full for Stampede. Same with TIFF and Caribana in Toronto, JFL in Montreal, Tulips and Winterlude in Ottawa, etc......

[drpgq]

I agree with you, it is just that with the feds spraying money around, I hope Hamilton is on the ball and gets its share. It just seems with the way the program is set up, Toronto will end up getting a lot more per capita than Hamilton.

[FairHamilton]

Three other agencies also get additional government money ranging from $2.5 million to $3 million each. They are the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, the Ontario Heritage Trust and the Royal Botanical Gardens.

Source: http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/615676

[SteelTown]

(>) Proposal for the Provision of a Feasibility Study and Business Plan for Development of a Gateway Centre (Visitor Welcome Centre)

SCOPE OF WORK
The City of Hamilton is hiring a consultant to conduct a feasibility study (including business plan) for a Gateway Centre (Visitor Welcome Centre). The feasibility study will review market conditions, the site location, comparable projects, and make recommendations on the scale, size and design of the facility, uses within the facility (both commercial and tourism along with other possible public uses), including tourism staffing needs, floor area breakdown between uses, operating model analysis, and prepare preliminary designs for the facility including an artist rendering. A general review of the preferred site with respect to traffic and access, engineering and servicing, and parking needs is also required. An analysis of the feasibility and economic impact/return of a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified building to various LEED standards is also required. The Successful Proponent shall consider the City’s goal that upon construction of the facility that the Centre should be at least revenue neutral with respect to operating costs.

NON-MANDATORY PROPONENT’S MEETING
A non-mandatory Proponent’s meeting is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Monday, August 31, 2009.

Location: 77 James Street N, Suite 400 Hamilton, L8R 2K3, Room 400A
Date: Monday, August 31, 2009
Time: 2:30 p.m., Local time

[highwater]

More consultants. Sigh.

Any word on location?

[emge]

Hopefully it involves demolishing a Taco Bell and a personal injury billboard and creating a big arch across the street...

I can dream...

[SteelTown]

From page 1......

Originally Posted by SteelTown

City purchases Stoney Creek land

By Kevin Werner
News
Aug 08, 2008

Hamilton politicians agreed this week to spend nearly $1 million for 2.9 acres of property to develop the city's long-proposed tourism welcome centre in Stoney Creek.

"I'm pleased with the decision," said Stoney Creek councillor Dave Mitchell. "There is no risk to the municipality (in the purchase)."

Politicians are expected to vote on the recommendation at their Aug. 7 council meeting.

In 2005 and 2006 councillors authorized the city's real estate staff to purchase the land at the northeast corner of North Service Road and Baseline Road. The purchase price from the Ontario Realty Corporate, which owned the land, was $986,000.

In June 2006, councillors approved staff to spend $676,000 to purchase the property.

City staff are using its property purchase reserve account to fund the deal.

The assessed price of the property in 2006 was $615,000, but before the city could purchase it, the land had to be re-appraised. It had been expected that 10 per cent would be added onto the land's price tag after the reassessment.

Under the agreement with the province, the city can't speculate with the land. And if the city has to sell the land within 20 years, the province will have the right of re-purchase the land.

Tourism Hamilton Executive Director David Adames, has been arguing for the construction of information centres throughout Hamilton to help improve the image of the city. Tourism Hamilton has an information centre in the city's downtown core, at the Hamilton International Airport, and a seasonal centre in Flamborough.

Stoney Creek Chamber of Commerce officials have been pestering city officials to construct a visitor information centre in their city ever since the tourism information centre at the corner of Centennial Parkway and King Street was closed a number of years ago.

Tourism Hamilton has proposed to build a $1.2 million, 5,000 square-foot facility that would include information about the city, eating facilities, and provide washrooms. Mr. Adames has stated the facility could cost about $110,000 to operate per year. The city would have to pay to service the property.

A feasibility study on the Visitor Welcome Centre, is scheduled to be completed next winter or spring, 2009.

Mr. Mitchell, who is also a member of the Tourism Hamilton board of directors, said it would be in the best interest of Tourism Hamilton to partner with the private sector to construct the visitor centre.

"I don't think Tourism Hamilton can do it on its own," he said.

Mr. Mitchell said a visitor centre is needed to educate tourists about Hamilton, while providing them with an inviting area to rest as they travel along the Queen Elizabeth Way.

"It's an ideal place (for the centre)," he said. "We need to build a centre that is attractive for people."

[SteelTown]

Hamilton a fascinating place

By GEORGE BAILEY, QMI Agency
http://www.torontosun.com/travel/ont...08721-qmi.html

HAMILTON — If you have limited dollars and are looking for something to do with your children this March Break, then read on. A one–hour drive to Hamilton will fill the bill.

There are plenty of things to keep the entire family occupied for the day. Don’t forget to take the neighbourhood kid who doesn’t often get to go on a holiday.

Hamilton Children’s Museum

This fascinating place at 1072 Main St. E., housed in the former 19th-century Gage residence in the nearby Gage Park, offers a safe and secure environment where children and their families can discover the world around them. Children can touch, build, and experiment with the creative hands-on exhibits. Mom and dad are encouraged to explore a variety of topics with their young ones, including physical and natural sciences, senses and the arts.

“My daughter has been happy the whole time she’s been here,” said Marissa Polanco, a Hamilton resident who was making her first visit to the museum with her two-and-a-half year old child Rebecca. “The 1930s Kitchen Works is her favorite. I don’t think it’s going to be easy to get her to leave. I’m having a ball.”

Admission: Children 1-13 years-$3, all others $1. The museum is open March 13 to 21, Monday to Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Hamilton Farmer’s Market

Not far away is the 173-year-old farmer’s market (temporarily located in Jackson Square at 2 King St. W. while the old spot is spruced up to the tune of $11 million).

Indoors, there are about 62 vendors that provide fresh produce, cheese, baked goods, meats, fish and flowers. The smells and sights are like a breath of fresh air on a dull winter day. Marilyn and Fred Bristol, both in their seventies, from Bristol Farms of Ancaster, have been bringing their produce to this market for more than 30 years.

“It’s the friendships we’ve built up that keeps us coming back,” Marilyn said. “Customers know they are buying food from people like us that produced it.”

This market has many cultures under one roof: Italian, German, Hungarian, Greek, Caribbean and Asian. Give the kids a piece of paper and a pen and have them mark down the names of the many different fruits and vegetables they can find. It will not only keep them occupied, but they’ll be learning something. Parking is a bit tricky. Enter the underground parking garage ($3 for the first hour) at Jackson Square and park in the centre area. There are no signs indicating where the market is located. Look out for where the folks with the bags of fresh vegetables are coming from. There is also a parking garage on nearby York Boulevard (across the street from the ongoing construction at the original market site) where parking is free for the first hour, provided you have your ticket stamped at the market office.

The market is open year-round. Hours of operation are Tuesday and Thursday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 6 a.m. to 6p.m.

Dundurn Castle

Tell your kids you’re going to take them to a castle for the day and watch their eyes grow large. Dundurn Castle is a mid-century home located at 610 York Blvd., just west of the downtown. Interpreters dressed in the garb of the day take visitors on a guided tour of the home, which was once occupied by Sir Allan MacNab (he was premier of the United Provinces of Canada from 1854-56). Several other families occupied the home until it was purchased and renovated by the City of Hamilton as a centennial project and opened in June 1967.The museum is open from noon to 4 p.m., Tuesday to Sunday (normally closed on Mondays, it will be opened March 15 for the March Break). The cost for adults is $10, seniors and students $8.

Historic Locke Street

This is a favorite haunt of the locals and not a lot of visitors know about this quaint little section southwest of downtown Hamilton. You won’t find it on any tourist maps. It’s just off Main Street, about 10 minutes from the castle. This neighbourhood oozes with charm. Park your car on the street (it’s free) and wander this heritage area dotted with antique shops, quirky stores and yummy kid-friendly places to eat. Check out West Town Bar and Grill (don’t let the Bar and Grill scare you away, it’s an old fashioned Ma and Pa restaurant during the day) where they serve one of the meanest breakfasts in town until 2 p.m. You and the family will feel right at home. Another sure-fire winner is The Locke Street Bakery where you might have to wait to get a seat. The owner Peter Giorgini, is Mr. Personality. His sandwiches and bagels are big enough for two.

When it’s time to travel back to Niagara take the lazier way, on old Highway 8E. It hugs the bottom of the Niagara Escarpment and takes longer than the QEW, but it’s worth the drive.

Contact George Bailey at wonderful.life@sympatico.ca.

For More Info ...

Tourism Hamilton 1-800-263-8590 or www.tourismhamilton.com.

Hamilton Farmer’s Market 905-546-2096