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Durham is ideal for day-trippers By Lucie R<chette Tourism is 'cxtrcmiely" important to the local economy, says Durham Region's manager of business development. "It is rnuch more important than people give it credit for,"says Normi Leigh, also special advisor to the Tourist Association of Durham Region (TADR). Visitors to the arca are 'a major source of incorne for the region," says association %vice president Penny Waghomne. Tourisrn creatcs "a substantial amnount of money, and generates mnany jobs in the area," says Debbie Tzountzouiris, TADR president. According to Lcigli, Durham Region gets millions of visitors per year. Thc recession bias adversely affected the tourism industry overail, but Durliain Region wasn't hurt too badly. "We are stili in pretty good shapc," says Tzountzouiris. Durham is an ideal area for visitors and May trippers,' to see the local sights and stili be home by dark. According to Lcighi, during these tough econtirnie limes, people are looking for vacations dloser to home. "There rcally is a lot more 10 Durham Region than they think," says Leighi. Some of the more popular attractions in the area include Cullen Gardens, Famiily Kartway, the Bowmanville Zoo and Orono's Jungle Cat World. The shopping centres in the area also attract many visitors, as do the "quaint" shops in Port Perry and the surrounding areas. Leighi says that Durhiam is "a welI-kept secret," and that "iseeing is belicving." Day trips are popular, because people "coine out for a day, enjoy severa! attractions during the day, and go back home ak night," says Waghiorne. Day trips are also popular because Durham is close to Toronto, from wlere visitors for a day to sec some of the local sights. According to Tzountzouris, people like the fact that they can bc out in die country in a short period of lime. Senior citizens are also attracted to the area, because they can visit the sighits in die dayime and still bc home in the evenings. Many seniors want t0 'experience Durham," says Tzountzouris. In general, Tzountzouris says that many people corne tb Durham because it is a "low-cost" vacation for the family. TADR promotes the area in several ways. The visitors' guideboQk is a major source of publicity for the area. About 90,000 copies of the guidebook are printed, and 45,000 of those are distributed at U.S.-Canada border crossings, in other provinces, tourisi information centres and at travel shows both in and outside of the area. There is advcrtising in magazines and newspapers, and more than 15,000 people go 10 the visitors' information centre, along the westbound Highway 401, in Newtonville. Staffed with students, tie information centre cardies the guidebook, fishing rnaps and other information about Durham Region. Table of DURHAM REGION Seeing is believing ......... Page 3 DO IT IN DURHAM Pronîoting toLrisnil...........Page 4 ALL TUE ANS WERS Whiithy I/rito Cetnre... .Page 5 GREEN FUN Conservation areas .........Page 6 THINGS TO DO Places to go ..........Pages 8 & 9 TOURIST'S DELIGUT A dlay in, LindsaYv..........Page 10 WETALTH 0F ATTRACTIONS hi our owui backyarcl......Page 13 A DAY-LONG ADVENTURE Cl/let z Catiens ............. Page 14 OtJTSTANDING ART McLiiughiin Gai/et y ......Page 15 is Pl hlied en the/iiby? - "u b.> Prss 131 Brock Si .N...Vhitby, Ontario Day Trips & Weekend Getaways3