It’s the last week of the summer break for most people as the kids get ready to go back to school. For people on vacation, the summer has gone by too fast. “We had an amazing summer and it definitely zipped by,” says Maaike Canrinus, who was at Centennial Beach in Barrie Tuesday with her children. With the final long weekend of summer days away, local resorts and businesses that depend on tourism are taking stock of the season. Muskoka Bay Resort says it’s been a solid season for visits. Most of its guests are from the GTA. “It’s been a hot summer, lots of fun. We have 88 new units. Muskoka Bay Resort occupancy is up 20 per cent. It’s been very busy,” says Devin Duke with Muskoka Bay Resort. Local beaches have seen a steady number of visitors through the summer months. Cottage country as a whole is taking advantage of people looking to stay closer to home. “Our members are seeing a trend upward. This summer has been very, very strong,” says Kerri Sass Resorts Ontario Executive Director. “I think with everything going on economically, people are more discerning with their tourism dollars. I think, overall, people are really wanting to stay within the country and the province.” Resorts Ontario says out-of-country visits have always been big factors for local business. This year is no different. “We’re seeing an increase in international visitors, international travel trade operators wanting to bring their group travels to Ontario,” says Sass. Most of the pop-up destinations, like the giant floating raft that can be seen in Kempenfelt Bay, are getting ready to call it a season with plans to be back next year. “It was a great summer. I think that weather always plays a huge factor in our tourism numbers and our tourism customer count, but I think, overall, it’s been a great summer,” says Brittany Gallagher, owner of Splash ON Water Parks. With the last long weekend of the summer approaching, many local businesses say they will be stretching their operations well into the fall, some as long as Thanksgiving.
