Premier Attraction: Fort William Historical Park
Fort William Historical Park plays a vital role in the economic and cultural landscape of Northwestern Ontario. The Fort is the world’s largest reconstructed fur trade post and one of Ontario’s premier outdoor tourist attractions.
The Park is working hard to support and grow the tourism economy in both Thunder Bay and the surrounding 
region. Attractions support the economy by providing focal points for tourist visits and spin-off benefits to other industry sectors. As part of the Ontario Tourism Strategy, the Fort has been focusing on creating tourism density and developing compelling reasons for people to visit Thunder Bay and region.
Part of this strategy includes hosting larger-scale festivals including Anishnawbe Keeshigun, Rock the Fort and the Voyageur Winter Carnival. Anishnawbe Keeshigun, new in 2007, staged the region’s first-ever competitive pow-wow, attracting over 9,000 visitors. The economic impact of this festival is estimated at $1 million. The two sold-out Rock the Fort festivals attracted over 75,000 patrons combined, generating over $6 million in economic impact and involving over 70 local businesses.
Last year’s Voyageur Winter Carnival achieved sold-out attendance, featured an outdoor winter rock concert, the city’s largest fireworks show and the event’s first-ever pond hockey challenge. Its economic impact was estimated at nearly $1 million.
The Fort has demonstrated strong tourism leadership. In 2004, they began developing the Kaministiquia River Heritage Parkway (KRHP), highlighting a cluster of attractions and tourism-related activities within the Kam River delta. The KRHP is a four-season, partner-based product designed to increase revenue and attendance, and strengthen regional prosperity with a brand that appeals to domestic and US markets. Over 40 area attractions and tourism-related operations have participated in the KRHP.
As an educational and cultural resource, the Fort welcomes school groups from across Ontario and the United States. These visits generate economic benefits for various service providers throughout the City of Thunder Bay.
The Fort's 25-acre site is also a popular filming location, providing exposure for itself and Thunder Bay in external markets. Filming at the Fort generates local economic benefits through accommodations, rentals, catering and temporary employment for technical support. Productions filmed at the Fort include “Les Printemps du Voyageur,” “Destination Nord Ouest,” “The Highland Empire,” and “The Canadian Antiques Roadshow”.
Fort William Historical Park by the numbers:
Employees: 27 full-time and 100-130 seasonal contract and summer staff
Visitors: over 100,000 a year
Local spending: $8 million a year
Economic impact provincially: $28 million a year
