TORONTO - Ontario is helping increase tourism at one of the province's most recognized theatre festivals.

The province is investing nearly $800,000 in the Shaw Festival to enhance its marketing efforts and expand its tourism offerings. Ontario is providing the festival with:

- $500,000 for a marketing campaign aimed at increasing the number of visitors to the Niagara region festival.

- $299,438 to support a live concert that will be hosted by CTV television personality Seamus O'Regan and feature Canadian soprano Measha Brueggergosman. The concert will be recorded for broadcast on the BRAVO network.

The Shaw Festival acts as a crucial economic hub for the Niagara region by creating jobs and filling local restaurants, shops, hotels and other local businesses. During these challenging economic times, this funding will benefit the local economy by attracting new visitors to the community, increasing ticket sales and encouraging more overnight stays.

"The Shaw Festival is a key contributor to the economy and to Ontario's tourism industry. This funding, will not only support the growth of this celebrated festival, it will also enhance its role as an economic driver for the province and job creator for the Niagara area. By raising the profile of Shaw we are encouraging our visitors to stay longer and enjoy the variety of tourism opportunities the region has to offer." - Monique Smith, Minister of Tourism

"Cultural tourism is a vital part of the Niagara Region. This is an excellent investment on the part of the government. During these tough economic times the success of the Shaw Festival's 3 stages not only continues to entertain us but its patrons support the economy of this vital community." - Kim Craitor, MPP, Niagara Falls

"Ontario's investment helps us to reach new audiences and offer visitors another exciting product in the Niagara region. By doing so, we can widen our appeal as a tourist destination and improve our position as one of the must-see attractions in Ontario." - Colleen Blake, Executive Director of the Shaw Festival

- The Shaw Festival reported that 2008 attendance reached 281,000, an increase of six per cent over the previous year.

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

- Tourism directly or indirectly employs 300,000 people across the province.