Ontario Government Invests In Shakespeare Festival

Ontario is helping to increase tourism at the province's most iconic theatre festival.

TORONTO - The province is investing $552,688 in the Stratford Shakespeare Festival to enhance its marketing efforts and expand its theatrical offerings. Ontario is helping attract tourists during challenging economic times by providing the festival:

- $500,000 to support a marketing campaign aimed at domestic and U.S. travellers.

- $52,688 to support the one-man show Ever Yours, Oscar, which will complement the festival's production of The Importance of Being Earnest.

Funding will benefit the entire regional tourism economy by drawing new visitors, increasing ticket sales and encouraging more overnight stays.

"Ontario is helping to increase tourism at the province's world famous Stratford Shakespeare Festival. The festival is a crucial economic hub for the region. A stronger festival means more visitors, more jobs, and more economic growth for the many local businesses that rely on tourism for their livelihood." - John Wilkinson, MPP for Perth-Wellington

"The Stratford Shakespeare Festival is a key contributor to Ontario's tourism industry. By supporting the growth of this legendary festival, we strengthen its role as an economic driver for the province and job creator for the region." - Monique Smith, Minister of Tourism

"To grow as a festival, we rely on world-class theatre productions as well as strong marketing campaigns. Ontario's investment helps us on both fronts by supporting an exciting theatrical event - Brian Bedford's one-man show about Oscar Wilde - while greatly enhancing our ability to draw visitors to Stratford." - Antoni Cimolino, General Director of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival

- Approximately 300,000 people in Ontario are directly or indirectly employed by the tourism industry.

- In 2007, tourists spent over $22 billion in Ontario

- The Stratford Shakespeare Festival contributes more than $145 million to Canada's gross domestic product each year and generates $55 million in tax revenue for all three levels of government.