Opportunity in the wilderness
Thirty-five years ago most people looking at the Ottawa River just saw fast running whitewater. Johnsonburg, PA-born Joe Kowalski saw that – and the business opportunity of a lifetime.
“There was no-one paddling the river back then despite the fact it has big beautiful rapids and the water is warm,” says Kowalski. “There was also no accommodation or amenities within 50 kilometers.”
Kowalski set out to create a unique adventure resort, one that would provide his clients with the best possible experience on – and off – the river, so it would be worth the journey no matter where they came from.
And that’s just what he’s done. Wilderness Tours offers unparalleled rafting and kayaking adventures along with other activities like mountain biking, rock climbing and bungee jumping, all in a setting that provides first-class accommodation and dining.
It’s a combination that now attracts 30,000 adventurers a year from all over the world – and has established the Ottawa as one of the world’s best rafting rivers and the world’s best kayaking river.
For more information on tourism investment opportunities throughout Ontario, please visit: www.investinontario.com/tourism/regionalinvest.asp.