Algonquin Provincial Park, located in Ontario Canada, is a tremendously popular tourist destination, attracting up to one million visitors to the area every year. This is significant since tourism is an extremely important industry in Canada. Considering that in 2002, the revenue from counter sale and gift shops alone at Canada's nature parks was $123.3 million, the impact that provincial parks have on local economies is staggering. According to Statistics Canada, tourism outpaced the country's overall economy last year. Tourism gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 0.8% in the third quarter of 2006, twice the 0.4% pace posted in economy-wide GDP. Much of strength in the third quarter came from the hospitality industry. The question must be answered, why is Algonquin Park becoming such a major tourist attraction? And, why does it having such a significant impact on Ontario resort operators? Algonquin Park is the oldest park in Ontario, covering over 7,700 square kilometres of breathtakingly beautiful scenery; it is internationally renowned as one of Canada's wilderness jewels. Contained within the park are over 2,400 lakes and 1200 kilometres of rivers and streams. An abundant population of deer, black bear, moose, foxes, wolves and birds find a protective home within the park's forests, meadows and swamps. There are a number of reasons why so many tourists are drawn to Algonquin Park. One is its central location. First of all, Algonquin Park is a relatively short drive from the large population centres of Toronto and Ottawa, which makes it an attractive day trip for city residents and city visitors alike. This provides many tourists a way to experience all that nature has to offer with a short drive. Another reason for the park's popularity is the diversity. Algonquin Provincial Park has something for everyone and attracts a wide variety of special interest groups including naturalists, hikers, birders, fishermen, canoeists, cross-country skiers, photographers, and resort vacationers. Many local resort owners are able to experience the benefits of having Algonquin Park close by, and it is making what was once small towns in Ontario are able to provide significant tourist appeal to people all over the world. No matter what the season, guests of local resorts and cottages are making their way to Algonquin Park and planning their whole vacation around this one activity because regardless of the season, there is always something special to see or do. Now that we have a greater understanding as to why Algonquin Park is so popular and the positive impact that it has had on local Ontario resort owners, lets take a closer look at how the tourist spending in and around Algonquin Park is affecting the Canadian economy. According to a 2002 report by Margaret Bowman of the University on Waterloo, the average over night or Lodge" visitor to Algonquin Park spends over $230 a day. The average day visitor to the park spends just over $150 a day. Clearly, considering that there were approximately one million park visitors last year, the revenue visitors to Algonquin Park add to the local economy is substantial. With the rise in nature tourism, Algonquin Park will continue to attract crowds and grow in popularity. It will also continue to be of significant importance to the local Muskoka economy and the economies of both Ontario and Canada.
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