Ontario Tourism Launches "The Superior Adventure" Contest

Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership has always been a big supporter of the incredible outdoor experiences that exist in our city and region and the launch of their latest contest based campaign is no exception.

This morning, they officially launched the "The Superior Adventure" contest to show off its newly refreshed Outdoor Adventure travel website.

All adventurers are invited to enter the contest which features seven days of unforgettable experiences on Lake Superior's north shore with celebrity hosts Thunder Bay's own Darren and Michelle McChristie of Superior Outdoors magazine (and the Walleye, I might add).

After gearing up at Mountain Equipment Co-op and Henry's Cameras, the winner and three friends will set out to explore the scenic waters and rugged headlands of the world's largest freshwater lake, travelling the coast in the comfort of a Suburu Outback.

Highlights of the contest include return airfare with Porter, flying the winners into Thunder Bay to get started. They'll enjoy a guided hike through Pukaskwa National Park, wildlife viewing in Slate Islands Provincial Park, an Agawa Canyon train tour, kayaking, stand up paddling, sailing with Thunder Bay's own Sailsuperior, and an exclusive helicopter tour of the lake and spectacular shoreline. This trip is so epic, its valued at around $27 000 CDN. OTMPC and the various partners invite avid outdoor enthusiasts to enter online at www.onteriotravel.net/outdoor

Other local partners include Fort William Historical Park, Marostica Motors Suburu, Beyond the Giant Retreat, Rose Vally Lodge and others.

In addition, every contest submission automatically enters one for a chance at winning a Kodak Playsport Zx5. I own one personally and they are incredible little HD video cameras and their waterproof, shockproof and dustproof casing makes them rugged little travel companions to capture your epic adventure.

Steve Bruno, OTMPC's Outdoor Partnership Coordinator, is a great friend to the Thunder Bay and regional tourism industry and is one of our early supporters when we launched Seven Days With the Giant some 4 years back. He's the dedicated genius responsible for pulling this great campaign and the partners across the entire north shore together.

This campaign is a prime example of the importance of taking a regional approach to tourism development and marketing. Its done by taking what is undeniably one of the continent's great coastal drives as the foundation to build unique, high quality itineraries for outdoor enthusiasts who want to access the myriad of experiences along the coast by automobile. Looking at the calibre of the prize package, it drives home the point that we are an up and coming premier destination for the avid explorer.

Fort William Historical Park Offers Great New Adventures

Fort William Historical Park continues to evolve its already fantastic programming by taking advantage of one of the city's most incredible urban park settings to improve visitor retention.

This year, the Fort is promoting outdoor adventures, including canoe and kayak rentals (Don't worry, they're new so you don't have to worry about patching birch bark). This is a great way to introduce new paddlers to the sport or cater to adventure seekers who want to pack light while touring the region.

The Fort is also promoting overnight tent and RV camping at its recently opened campground and has created nature trails on its own 25 acre island located upstream from the Fort on the fabled Kaministiquia River, a critical water trade route to the exploration and expansion into Western Canada.

And of course, with a full summer schedule of summer weekend events kicking off with Rendezvous with Italy on June 11 and 12 and the historic site open daily, there's more to keep adventure seekers here in the city longer.

Of course, Fort William Historical Park is already one of Canada's top outdoor attractions. The addition of this programming enhances that reputation and builds strength into Thunder Bay's tourism position as one of Canada's Best Outdoor Cities.