Near North Real Estate - Tourism Info & News

Just a friendly reminder: It is fall-back time again

andre.rieser@gmail.com (André Rieser) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:25:00 +0000

Just a friendly reminder:

Yours in tourism,

André Rieser

andre.rieser@gmail.com
705.752.3067

Let's talk about maps today ....

andre.rieser@gmail.com (André Rieser) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 10:40:00 +0000

Recently, Hitwise Monthly Category Report for Travel was released based on US Internet usuage for the month of June 2008. Leading the way in the top 4 were Mapquest, Google Maps, Expedia, and Yahoo Maps. In the last 4 months the above websites have remain constant in their positions.

Maps are becoming increasing important on websites as they provide useful information on how to find your business as well services nearby. You can include photos, videos, reviews and much more on your map. Maps are also high in search engine listings as well. Usually in the search, map(s) will be listed in first page of your search.

Rockview Camp Cottage Resort has being using maps on its website almost from the beginning of the website. Today we are using the Google Maps since we feel that this tool gives the most opportunities for you - from trip planer how to get here to how to get from here to where ever you like to go.

Yours in tourism,

André Rieser

andre.rieser@gmail.com
705.752.3067

Fish licence-free! Take a friend fishing!

andre.rieser@gmail.com (André Rieser) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 21:38:00 +0000

If you or someone you know would like to try fishing in Ontario waters for the first time (or the first time in a long time), circle the weekend of July 4-6, 2008 on your calendar. For those three days only (12:01 a.m. Friday to 11:59 p.m. Sunday), Canadian residents can enjoy the fun of fishing in Ontario without a licence during the annual Ontario Family Fishing Weekend.

Visit the following website to find out more about this excellent opportunity to get hooked .... www.familyfishingweekend.com/Welcome.cfm

Yours in tourism,

André Rieser

andre.rieser@gmail.com
705.752.3067

The Shadflies are back

andre.rieser@gmail.com (André Rieser) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:42:00 +0000

The annual tradition continues, shadflies are again making their way from Lake Nipissing into North Bay. The mouthless insects, which are also known as mayflies, usually only live for 24 hours to three days. There are usually a lot of them because Lake Nipissing is a shallow lake and this year they're arriving pretty much right on time. Shadflies are a good thing to see, they're generally an indicator of a productive and well-oxygenated lake.

To find out more about these strange creatures, follow this link to the shadfly story

Yours in tourism,

André Rieser

andre.rieser@gmail.com
705.752.3067

Ride for Dad - Inaugural ride in North Bay / Nipissing a success

andre.rieser@gmail.com (André Rieser) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:26:00 +0000

Inaugural Ride for Dad raises $22,000
Event supports prostate cancer research, education

Based on an article by Jenny Potter, THE NUGGET

The inaugural Nipissing Ride for Dad brought out a parking lot full of motorcyclists to Canadian Tire Saturday morning, all in the name of prostate cancer.

Mike Paterson was one of the many local Harley Davidson Club members out in support of the cause. He and his granddaughter MacKenzie, 8, rode the 150-km route along with 183 other road hogs, raising $22,000.

Amidst the rumbling motors, the teddy bears and leather, the cause of the day was still felt by participants. Bikes are a real draw and the event is quite different for the city.

"People see 100 cars go by and they think that it is just traffic," said organizer Charlie 'Chopper' Cameron. "But when they see a parade of motorcycles going by, it catches their attention."

Fresh into retirement last year, Cameron learned he had prostate cancer.

I'm in the eighth month of my therapy right now and I've been a motorcyclist all my life," he said.

Recovering from implant surgery kept Cameron off his bike until this spring, making Ride for Dad an extra special day. "Last year I couldn't ride my bike, so it is really nice to be able to now," he said.

Event proceeds will stay in the community and will go toward any local education and research initiatives. "It will benefit our locals," said Cameron.

Congratulations to all the organizer for this event - keep up the good work. We are proud that we were able to support you with our donation.

Yours in tourism,

André Rieser

andre.rieser@gmail.com
705.752.3067

Tourism performance for March 2008

andre.rieser@gmail.com (André Rieser) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:48:00 +0000

Just received the report of Ontario's tourism performance for the month of March 2008 from the Ministry of Tourism. The highlights for the period of March 2008 over 2007 are:

Trips from the U.S. to Ontario posted a decline of 16.3%, with same-day travel down by 25.2% and overnight trips up by 0.6%.
Visits from overseas markets to Ontario increased by 0.8%.
Travel by Ontarians to the U.S. increased by 12.1% (same-day travel and overnight trips up by 5.1% and 21.5%, respectively), while travel to overseas countries increased by 9.7%.
Occupancy rates in Ontario hotels were down by 4.0%, while the average daily rate (ADR) was up by 1.1%.
Ontario’s Travel Price Index was up by 2.8%.
Employment in Ontario’s tourism-related industries was down by 15.1%.

I encourage everyone interested in statistics to visit the Ministry of Tourism Research website where you will find all kinds of reports and statistics.

Yours in tourism,

André Rieser

andre.rieser@gmail.com

705.752.3067

Discover North Bay's waterfront this summer

andre.rieser@gmail.com (André Rieser) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:45:00 +0000

Ontario’s Near North, the North Bay Discovery Museum and the City of North Bay have recently come together to develop new and exciting guided Tours of North Bay’s spectacular waterfront. This initiative is significant as it will showcase North Bay’s most beautiful and unique attraction; the waterfront.

The tour will begin at the top of the hill beside the Heritage Carousel on Memorial Drive and will continue down along the waterfront. The official launch date will be Friday, June 13, 2008. Tours on this day will be free of charge and will run between the hours of 4:00 PM and 9:00 PM. Locals and tourists are encouraged to come enjoy a waterfront tour and celebrate North Bay’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and community pride.

After this official launch date, tours will be every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evening between the hours of 6:30 PM and 8:30 PM at a cost of $5.00 per person; children 12 and under are free. Tours will be approximately 40 minutes in length which will allow for two tours per evening, available in English and in French. The tours will continue throughout the summer until August 30^th.

For more information please contact Laurie Ypya, executive director at Ontario's Near North at 474.6634

Yours in tourism,

André Rieser

andre.rieser@gmail.com
705.752.3067

If you can't stand the heat - get out of the kitchen

andre.rieser@gmail.com (André Rieser) — Sun, 25 May 2008 20:09:00 +0000

This week I read an article in the North Bay Nugget regarding comments made by our Provicial Tourism Minister Peter Fonseca regarding his position on the idea of taking of the PST part of the accommodation (e.g staying at a hotel, motel, resort) to support tourism in the Province of Ontario.

For me it is interesting to see, that when Toronto got hit by SARS measures like this where taken right a way - but this time they are "It's a knee-jerk reaction . . . I don't think he knows if it would have any impact" (Fonseca's comment on John Tory's suggestion). At the same time for example supporting Wasaga Beach

If our Minister of Tourism is not willing to realize the impact this industry has in the Province and to stand up, get out of his office over to the Minister of Finance and take a stand, I feel that he doesn't seem to be "the man" for the job.

I am looking forward to your position on this issue - but don't wait to long, the industry is hurting.

André

Ministry of Tourism - Tourism performance Februar 2008 just published

andre.rieser@gmail.com (André Rieser) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:39:00 +0000

The Tourism Performances for February 2008 where just published and by reading them I came along two very interesting links for you interested in the current, the past and in the future statistics:

http://www.tourism.gov.on.ca/english/research/performance/index.html

http://www.tourism.gov.on.ca/english/research/trends/index.html

http://www.tourism.gov.on.ca/english/research/index.html

Check them out and start thinking about your marketing, your intentions to buy or to sell (don't forget that there is an opportunity either way)

If you like a copy of the latests newsletter please eMail me and I will send it to you as a PDF attachment

Yours in Tourism,

André

This year's official ice-out date for Lake Nipissing is April 26

andre.rieser@gmail.com (André Rieser) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:00:00 +0000

The official “ice out” date for Lake Nipissing this year is April 26 based on eye witness accounts on the water and in the sky.

For the past two years, Nipissing was declared ice free April 24 and most estimates expected this spring’s date to be later due to the thickness of ice and relatively cool March.

The earliest “ice off” date was April 3, 1945 and the latest was May 19, 1926. For the past decade, the dates have hovered in the last week of April.

Spring is a great time to buy or sell a lakefront property. Everyone is motivated and looking forward to the warmer days to come. Don't hesitate - give me a call

André

Restocking is on its way

andre.rieser@gmail.com (André Rieser) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 21:12:00 +0000

I was at Wasi Falls today to help out for a little while with the Walleye/Pickerel Restocking. A group of very dedicated people spent a lot of time organising and doing a lot of work to stock Walleye/Pickerel in Lake Nipissing. This group - also known as the Lake Nipissing Walleye Restocking Association - was started first by resort operators more then 30 years ago. Today it consists of some operators but also of local people interested in a healthy fishery in Lake Nipissing.

Yesterday they put the nets out to catch the fish. Today we were at the falls mid morning, setting up the working area, the buckets with water and the holding-nets while 2 guys went out to check on the nets. WOW, they came back with large females full of eggs and ready to spawn as well as a good number of male fish.

The procedure sounds simple but it takes time, knowledge and experience: First the females get "milked" then depending on the amount of eggs several male fish go through the same procedure. A feather is then used to mix the eggs and sperm and a chemical is applied to prevent the fertilized eggs from sticking to each other.

Once this is done, the baskets get into a water bath, where for 45 minutes they will be cleaned and washed before they get measured and brought to the mobile hatchery.

If you are in the area and like to see it first hand, I am sure that who ever will be there in the next few days will be more then willing to show you around.

Please support the Lake Nipissing Walleye Restocking Association

I will keep you posted how the "baby's" are doing.

How-to seminar: How to promote your website at Staples

andre.rieser@gmail.com (André Rieser) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 19:22:00 +0000

Great opportunity - another

FREE “How-to” Seminar for Business Owners!

You’re invited to attend the next 90-minute STAPLES BizLaunch Seminar…delivered by local small business expert Penny Tremblay.

“How to Promote Your Website”
Attract visitors to your website with Search Engine Optimization, popular key words & Google tools.

Tuesday, April 8th 2008

6:30 – 8 p.m.

STAPLES Business Depot, 1899 Algonquin Avenue, North Bay, ON

To register for this free seminar, please visit www.Staples.ca/bizlaunch.

This is certainly a great opportunity to learn about internet marketing and promotion. Even if you have visited similar seminars - there is always something new to explore.

Have fun

André

andre.rieser@gmail.com (André Rieser) — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:14:00 +0000

I wish you all a
Happy Easter !

André

SORBARA LEADS STUDY TO BOOST ONTARIO TOURISM

andre.rieser@gmail.com (André Rieser) — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 15:38:00 +0000

TORONTO ON/Thunder Bay ~ Minister of Tourism Peter Fonseca today named Greg Sorbara, MPP for Vaughan and former Minister of Finance, to look at ways to increase Ontario’s share of the multi-billion dollar global tourism market.

Working with tourism and business leaders, Sorbara will:

* Study what Ontario’s tourism industry does well and where there is room for improvement
* Identify Ontario's best prospects for growth and best practices around the globe and
* Develop an action plan, to be released in 2009, to ensure tourism continues to be a key contributor to Ontario’s economic prosperity.

The three objectives of the competitiveness study are getting all Ontarians talking about the future of Ontario tourism; raising the tourism industry’s profile; and designing a strategy that identifies clear actions for industry and clear roles for all levels of government.

QUOTES

“The tourism landscape is changing dramatically. The findings of this study will help ensure the province’s tourism industry is prepared to take advantage of new opportunities emerging globally. We are prepared to think big, bold and out of the box to make Ontario the world’s destination of choice,” said Tourism Minister Peter Fonseca.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to grow a key economic sector for Ontario — a sector that is experiencing phenomenal growth world-wide. We want to ensure we are providing the right environment for the industry to succeed and prosper,” said Greg Sorbara.

QUICK FACTS

* Tourism contributes more than $20 billion to Ontario’s Gross Domestic Product
* Ontario welcomes more than 118 million tourists annually
* According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, the number of international travellers is expected to double to nearly 1.6 billion by 2020.
* Tourism employs more than 200,000 people in Ontario

Found in www.lakesuperiornews.com

Reminder: Spring forward

andre.rieser@gmail.com (André Rieser) — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 12:29:00 +0000

Just a quick reminder that the clocks will be set 1 hr forward tomorrow morning at 2:00 local time. At 1:59 the clocks will be set to 3:00

At the same time I'd like to remind you to check or better exchange the batteries in your smoke detectors (check the hardwired ones too). Smoke alarms are proven to safe life.

Have a great weekend

Provincial Business Condition Survey

andre.rieser@gmail.com (André Rieser) — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 13:25:00 +0000

This survey just came in and I encourage you all to respond to it and to share with your peers. It is important to share how everyone is doing to be able to make changes into the right direction.

Here is the email:

Good afternoon,

Attached please find the Business Conditions Survey for the Traveller Accommodation Industry, our quarterly report regarding recent (Q4 2007) and future performance (Q1 2008) of the accommodation sector in Ontario, and Canada.

This update includes information on past occupancy results and business impediments as well as expectations about future occupancy rates, room nights, room rates, business travellers and hours worked by employees.

Please feel free to share this with your colleagues.

This report will be posted shortly on the Ministry's website at:

http://www.tourism.gov.on.ca/english/research/business_outlook/index.html

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at the information listed below.

Regards,

Adele

Adele Labine-Romain MBA
Tourism Research Officer
Ontario Ministry of Tourism
700 Bay Street, 15th Floor
Toronto, ON M7A 2E1
tel: (416) 325-8287
fax: (416) 314-7341
adele.labine-romain@ontario.ca

Please visit us at www.research.tourism.gov.on.ca

Yours in tourism,

André

Free Internet Marketing Seminar in North Bay Februar 27, 2008

andre.rieser@gmail.com (André Rieser) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 21:51:00 +0000

The following free seminar is offered in North Bay:

The Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound Inc. would like to invite you to an informational seminar entitled, "The Web for Small Businesses." This is a free event and is being held on Wednesday, February 27th, at the Best Western in North Bay.

Please register early as spaces are limited. You can register by calling us via the information provided below. Thank you and we hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

The Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound Inc.
200 McIntyre Street East. P.O. Box 360
North Bay, ON P1B 8H8

T: 705 474-0626 ext. 528
Toll: 1 888 465-1882

W: www.thebusinesscentre-nps.com

Please check out their website and you will find more information about this opportunity.

Yours in tourism,

André

Please support "Ride for Dad" - coming to North Bay June 14, 2008

andre.rieser@gmail.com (André Rieser) — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 20:37:00 +0000

The Motorcycle Ride for Dad is Canada's biggest annual motorcycle event dedicated to fighting prostate cancer through research and education. In 2008, it will take place in 18 cities across Canada.

Behind the Motorcycle Ride for Dad is the dedicated National Advisory Board

The first Ride for Dad took place in Ottawa in 2000. This year will mark its 9th year and special thanks go out to all the chapter volunteer executive committees.

From all of us to all of you, THANK YOU for your continued support!

Check out the North Bay / Nipissing event at www.motorcycleridefordad.org/nip/

Canada's Great Outdoors - free advertisment opportunity

andre.rieser@gmail.com (André Rieser) — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 14:41:00 +0000

Dear Tourism Operator,

The Strategic Tourism Development and Marketing Partnership, an innovative collaboration between FedNor, OTMPC and NOHFC, in conjunction with Ontario’s Sunset Country Travel Association (project Proponent) is pleased to invite you to become an active partner in the exciting upcoming tourism marketing campaign devoted to showcasing Northern Ontario in the Chicago area (see attachment for details of the campaign).

The new website canadasgreatoutdoors.com and in-market tactics for the program begin on Monday February 11^th.

We hope that you will become active partner in this program by registering your listing with us and placing a vertical or horizontal badge on your website.

Your Participation:

It’s easy and there is no cost to participate. Just click on the link below toregister your listing on the trip planning map then place a badge on your website.

That’s it!

http://www.canadasgreatoutdoors.com/addmylisting

If you have any technical questions, Jeff Elgie at Lucidia Studios can be contacted by email at jeff@lucidia.com or by telephone at 705-941-9828 ext 2355.

Welcome to my new information list

andre.rieser@gmail.com (André Rieser) — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 13:52:00 +0000

There is almost no day passing by without getting tourism related information. May it be a update from a Ministry or a course offered by some supplier.
I will try to publish the ones I feel important on this blog for you to read. If you have any suggestions, questions or remarks, please feel free to contact me

Hope that you can make the most of these listings

Yours in tourism,

André