The Pittsburg, Kansas-based transportation company that bought Agawa Canyon Tour Train earlier this year is happier than a dog with two tails after a successful first season.
"From a group that was very nervous about operating it, to a group that is very excited about the future, I think that is a really great sign from Watco," says Travis Anderson, the city's director of tourism and community development.
Anderson told directors of Tourism Sault Ste. Marie last week that Watco Companies LLC's numbers on its first-ever tour train season were up roughly 10 per cent higher than the same period in 2018.
"They were very happy with the way that the season went," Anderson said.
"We're also in discussions with them on potential improvements to the train for next year."
Anderson described the U.S. firm, headed by a former pitcher for Montreal Expos and Boston Red Sox, as being "very transparent" and "a great partner from our perspective."
Other droppings from the Tourism Sault Ste. Marie meeting:
- Sault Ste. Marie will host a U15 AAA hockey tournament at the end of April, 2023. The event is expected to draw between 150 and 200 visitors here
- flush with municipal accomodation tax revenues, Tourism SSM now has almost $1.3 million in the bank and is expected to end the year with a small surplus
- the board of Tourism SSM is recommending a $34,000 donation to Art Gallery of Algoma to support a gallery feasibility study. A report will be sent to City Council for consideration and approval
- a contribution of $75,000 is being recommended to support revitalization of the Bon Soo Winter Carnival. The recommendation is conditional on signing of an agreement with Bon Soo detailing the intended purpose of the funding and required reporting
