Posts Tagged ‘tourism’

Starting July 1, Ontario drivers can tow recreational vehicles if they have a full class G licence. This will make it easier for Ontarians to travel this summer and save RV owners about $200 in initial licence costs, according to a government news release.

Until now, Ontario drivers have needed a class A licence to tow RVs that weigh more than 4,600 kg. (10,120 pounds). With this change, Ontarians can tow and operate RVs with a full class G licence as long as:

• The combined weight of the motor vehicle and RV is not more than the current 11,000 kg limit (24,200 pounds).
• The RV is attached to the motor vehicle by a fifth-wheel hook-up.
• Only one vehicle is being towed.
• The RV meets Transport Canada manufacturing standards.
• The RV is being towed for personal use only.

These changes will make it easier for Ontarians to travel with RVs, support the province’s RV industry and promote tourism, while keeping roads safe.

May long weekend campers heading out to nine provincial parks in Ontario will be subject to a liquor ban.

The temporary bans will be in place from noon on Thursday, May 19 until 6 p.m. on Monday, May 23, the Toronto Globe reported.

Sites that fall under the temporary ban include:
Aspen Beach Provincial Park
Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park
Dillberry Lake Provincial Park
Garner Lake Provincial Park
Jarvis Bay Provincial Park
Miquelon Lake Provincial Park
Pigeon Lake Provincial Park
Wabamun Lake Provincial Park
Whitney Lakes Provincial Park

“Most campers, who enjoy a glass of wine with their meal or a beer around the campfire, do so without disturbing their neighbors. However, at these select sites, temporary liquor bans have proven to be the safest, most effective tool in preventing inappropriate, liquor-related enforcement occurrences during the Victoria Day long weekend,” said Tourism, Parks and Recreation Minister Cindy Ady.

“Our goal is to ensure provincial parks are safe and enjoyable places for all of our visitors,” said Ady.
The province has implemented liquor bans at provincial parks on long weekends since 2004.

Baby boomers flush with cash and a persistent wanderlust are flocking to Lee County’s recreational vehicle parks in record numbers.

For a crippled economy, the revival of the RV industry with the hundreds of millions of dollars it brings to Southwest Florida comes at a good time.

In 2009, about 37,000 RV and campground users in Lee County poured $228 million into the local economy — an increase of 35 percent over 2008. It’s the only area of tourism that grew over the prior year, according to the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau.

From December 2009 through March, RVers added $123 million to the local economy.

The days of “trailer trash” are over, said Linda Profaizer, president and CEO of the National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds. “That’s old, historic thinking. Today’s parks are upscale and filled with people who have been successful in life.”

Lee County’s 79 RV resorts – home for a few days or year round for residents – also contribute almost $300,000 annually to Lee’s tax base from license fees. They add a portion of an estimated $25 million to the county’s bed tax, which is used for beach renourishment and tourism promotion.