Smiths Falls Stay and Play Contest winners for 2023 announced

Smiths Falls’ 2023 Stay and Play contest winners have been announced.

The Stay and Play Contest, launched by the Town of Smiths Falls’ Economic Development and Tourism Department in collaboration with the Smiths Falls & District Chamber of Commerce and the Smiths Falls Downtown Business Association, aims to bolster local tourism offerings.

Initiated in 2021, the Visitor Information Collection Program spans three years and focuses on gathering crucial data from visitors including demographics, spending habits, and feedback on their experiences.

Last year, nearly 300 visitors participated, revealing an average expenditure of $367.28 per visit and a total of approximately $96,594.50 spent within the town.

Annually, two winners are selected randomly from valid survey responses. The 2023 winners are Briana H. from Colborne, Ontario, and Megan W. from Marathon, Ontario.

Julia Crowder, Manager of Economic Development and Tourism, emphasized the program’s role in understanding visitor preferences and identifying areas for improvement. “The program assists in understanding our visitors, their wants and needs, as well as our current gaps. This information is a crucial step to plan and develop tourism offerings and will help provide insights for a future Tourism Strategic Plan,” Crowder stated.

The visitor experience survey remains open, inviting feedback from Smiths Falls visitors and offering them a chance to win a getaway prize package back to the town in 2025 through the Stay and Play Contest.

For more information and to participate, visitors are encouraged to complete the survey online at www.smithsfalls.ca/StayandPlay or pick up a Stay and Play Card from local businesses. Each prize package, valued at $1,000, includes accommodations and gift certificates to local attractions and businesses.