The fall colour season is in full swing – bringing thousands of tourists and a lot of money to our region.
Across Muskoka the fall colours are between 20 and 30 per cent and they mean big business, drawing people by the bus load.
Nancy Munro is with Great Canadian Holidays & Coaches out of Kitchener which organizes weekly day trips to Muskoka.
“We come up here for the beauty of the lake. Our fall colours tours sell out.”
This is the second busiest time of the year for Muskoka Steamships. The cruises on Thursday were sold out.
“Today there is two cruises and a private charter and up to the next three weeks we’ll do 3 to 5 cruises per day. The September/October time of year is equal to August in terms of revenue,” says Muskoka Steamships G.M. John Miller.
Small businesses like the Blue Willow Tea Shop are feeling the ripple effect from the influx of tourists. The dining room has been steadily packed and owner Sue Barrett says the fall colours is easing the transition from summer to fall and extending the season.
“We hope it takes us right to the middle of October and even beyond really…it’s a good colour season.”
Many tourism operators say the fall season is already off to a promising start and with the fall colours still having to peak, they’re expecting business to pick-up even more in the weeks ahead and leading up to Thanksgiving.
