Showing our region to the rest of the province

The Hills of Headwaters Tourism Association proudly launched the 6th edition of its annual Visitor's Guide and Map into the marketplace April 11.

The annual Visitor's Guide and accompanying regional road map are two of the core initiatives undertaken annually by the Tourism Association to showcase our communities and businesses into the Ontario marketplace.

The Visitor's Guide and Map are the only comprehensive marketing publications featuring all there is to see and do in the region. By promoting the breadth and scope of tourism activities in the Hills of Headwaters, these publications encourage longer visits and increased overnight stays by visitors to the region. The guide and map also serve as an internal tourism resource that direct visitors and local residents to the wide range of activities, sites and amenities offered in the Hills of Headwaters.

Ultimately, the goal of the Tourism Association is to promote tourism that is consistent with the region's rural heritage, respectful of its natural resources, and to encourage business growth and prosperity for its member business and community partners.

This year's Visitor 's Guide and Map provide comprehensive business and event listings, and also feature in-depth articles on back road touring, fishing, the arts, hauntings in the hills, country weddings and the bed & breakfast experience. The Guide and Map highlight all the great reasons for people to visit our beautiful and scenic region of the province.

Each year 100,000 copies of the Visitor's Guide and 150,000 copies of the Map are printed and distributed throughout the province, resulting in an estimated 345,000 people reading about and discovering the Hills of Headwaters. This year more than 50,000 Visitor's Guides were distributed through the Globe and Mail to selected zones within the GTA. The remaining guides and maps will be distributed in Ontario through other selected media sources including Ontario Tourism Information centres, the Hills of Headwaters regional distribution program, at local tourism businesses, and at our local municipal offices.

The work the Tourism Association has been doing to market the Hills of Headwaters region to consumers and visitors throughout Ontario has recently been recognized by the Economic Development Council of Ontario (EDCO). In February of 2007, the Hills of Headwaters walked away with top marketing honours in two categories at their recent EDCO Awards, including first place awards for its 2006 Visitor's Guide and Map, as well as for its Headwaters Golf Trail campaign.

According to the president of EDCO, George Borovilos, "… over 190 entries were judged" in this province-wide competition which showcased the best in economic development, investment and promotion. The Tourism Association is, according to executive director Lisa Brusse, "thrilled to have the region's work recognized at a provincial level … our local tourism operators and municipalities contribute enormously to our collaborative marketing efforts and it is this partnership that allows us to showcase our region as a high-quality, rural destination within the Ontario landscape."

The Tourism Association continually welcomes new members and encourages local area merchants and businesses to provide input into the process of moving forward in promoting the Hills of Headwaters as a quality tourism destination.

For further information about the Hills of Headwaters Tourism Association or to find out how to participate in any of the upcoming promotional opportunities, please contact 519-942-0314 or info@thehillsofheadwaters.com or www.thehillsofheadwaters.com.