Ontario’s Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, Lisa Macleod recently toured one of Le Boat’s luxury houseboats along the banks of the UNESCO World Heritage Rideau Canal in the Village of Merrickville as part of a multi-week-long tour of the province offering support to the hard-hit tourism industry after the effects of shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

After their tour of the village and visits to some of Merrickville’s local business, the Honourable Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, the Honourable Doug Struthers, Mayor of Merrickville, and the  Minister Macleod toured Le Boat’s Premier Horizon 5 Cruiser as it was moored at Lock Station 21 in the village of Merrickville.

Lisa Mclean, national marketing manager for Le Boat, said of the visit: “We’re pleased for the opportunity today to introduce Minister Macleod to the joy of boating. She’s been a champion for the tourism industry during this very difficult year. We are excited that she was able to spend a few minutes relaxing on the water, enjoying our top deck “fun deck” and sample what a luxury houseboat experience is really like .”

Late last month, the Minister announced tourism recovery funding from the Ontario government that would be distributed to and managed by the province’s 13 Regional Tourism Organizations. RTO 9 will receive an investment of $350,000 from the Ministry to develop and coordinate a strategic marketing plan that will propel the tourism sector by raising awareness levels in the region as to what tourism products and services are open to locals for consumption.

The RTO 9’s region includes Merrickville and stretches from the western border of Prince Edward County and the Bay of Quinte east to the Quebec border, north to the Rideau Canal World Heritage Site and south to the Canada-US border.

Le Boat is now in its third season in Canada, with a fleet of 24 premier Horizon Cruisers (up from 16 boats in their first year of opening in 2018).The Premier Horizon fleet was designed exclusively for Le Boat and for the Canadian Waterways with the non-boater in mind.

Customers captain the boat themselves and no boating license or previous boating experience is required. Live, eat and sleep onboard, the luxury boats range in size from 2 to 5 cabins (private bathroom and en-suite shower in ever cabin), with modern design, spacious interior and a roomy ‘fun deck,’ perfect for alfresco dining and evening cocktails under the stars.

Choose from a 3-5-night short break or 7-10+ night vacation and see why Le Boat is the perfect staycation option this summer or fall (season closes Oct. 14, 2020). Discover Ontario’s great outdoors, cruise on wide open lakes, winding rivers and stop to explore the small towns and villages along this iconic waterway.

Sail on over to www.leboat.ca or www.leboat.ca/fr for more.