Scugog Township, home to the picturesque town of Port Perry, is set to embrace a new tourism strategy aimed at enhancing the local economy and providing sustainable growth. The newly launched Scugog Tourism Visitor Growth Plan was endorsed at Monday’s council meeting, marking a significant step in the township’s efforts to attract more visitors and foster economic vitality.
Tourism continues to play a crucial role in Scugog’s economy. Port Perry, known for its charming downtown, scenic countryside, and popular attractions such as local cideries, breweries, and the Great Blue Heron Casino, draws thousands of visitors each year. In 2024, Port Perry saw 573,000 daily visits from 73,000 tourists, a 28% increase compared to the previous year. This surge in visitors translates into increased revenue for local businesses, underscoring the value of tourism as a major economic driver for the township.
According to Scugog Mayor Wilma Wotten, the tourism growth benefits extend beyond immediate economic returns. “By increasing visitor numbers, we also increase our ability to attract future growth and investment opportunities,” Wotten said. However, she emphasized that responsible planning is key to ensuring sustainable tourism. “With visitation on the rise, it is imperative to consider both community and tourism needs, plan responsibly, and sustainably,” she added. The Scugog Tourism Visitor Growth Plan will guide this effort and help balance growth with the township’s values.
The plan was developed through a series of four facilitated sessions with a cross-sector Steering Committee and supported by Central Counties Tourism. The Visitor Growth Plan focuses on five strategic pillars:
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Embrace: Acknowledge and support Scugog as a tourism town.
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Manage: Establish clear leadership, with stakeholders understanding their roles.
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Connect: Adopt an “all of Scugog” approach to destination development.
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Entice: Craft compelling stories to encourage visitation.
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Champion: Advocate for policies that support destination growth.
These pillars will serve as the foundation for tourism initiatives across the township over the next five years. The goal is to not only enhance the visitor experience but also to ensure economic development while maximizing the benefits for the local community.
Scugog’s tourism sector isn’t limited to downtown Port Perry; the township’s agri-tourism sector also plays a key role in attracting visitors. The Visitor Growth Plan seeks to ensure that agriculture-related tourism is managed responsibly and in a way that benefits both farmers and visitors alike.
The Scugog Tourism Visitor Growth Plan is poised to guide the township’s tourism development, ensuring that future growth remains aligned with the community’s values, interests, and environmental goals. With a focus on sustainable development, the plan will help Scugog become a model destination for tourism in the region.
