The rainy weather isn’t dampening tourism in Ottawa this summer. Ottawa Tourism says demand for the summer “continues to look strong,” with “positive indicators” showing demand is up across hotel accommodations, airport volume, visitor centre visits and “anecdotal festival/event attendance.” “Leisure visitation is influenced by the drive market and last-minute travel decisions, and as such can be weather-dependent, which is why time-bound reasons to travel, such as festivals and events (including business and sporting events), is a crucial part of the mix for tourism visitation,” Catherine Callary, vice president of destination development with Ottawa Tourism, said in a statement. While Ottawa Tourism says summer travel statistics won’t be available until September, Callary notes July’s tourism numbers “eclipsed the same month last year.” “Ironman was a case in point, where inclement weather couldn’t dampen the mood as 3,100 athletes and their families, a total of 10,000 visitors, flocked to Ottawa, with a seven per cent increase from last year in international attendance, and nearly every U.S. state represented,” Callary said. Ottawa’s summer tourism season has included Ottawa Bluesfest, which reported strong attendance figures, Ottawa Buskerfest, Les Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy, Ottawa Chamberfest, the Ottawa Lebanese Festival, Ottawa Greekfest and the Commissionaires Ottawa Open. This summer, children and youth 17 and under can visit national museums in the national capital region for free as part of the Canada Strong Pass. Admission is free for those 17 and under at the following museums: The Canada Strong Pass also offers a 50 per cent discount on admission to national museums for those 18 to 24 years old. With files from CTV’s Kimberley Johnson
