CANADA: KP Tours Exites Kingston Tourism

The reopening of Kingston Pen is, no doubt, going to have a huge impact on summer tourism in the city. Restaurant owners and tour operators say the prison tours are a potential gold mine of new business for them.

Violette Hiebert, Director of Tourism, Marketing&Development:
” This really is the most important news for tourism in the last 5 years, for Kingston.”

Kingston Penitentiary shuttered it’s doors back in the fall of 2013 — but starting this summer it will re-open once again to the public. The last time tours were offered behind the walls of the maximum security prison, tickets sold out almost immediately. The latest tours will run from June until October. Extending the tourism season is considered a big win for the city and will bring crowds from far and wide.

“These people will be eating in our restaurants, enjoying our museums, hopping on our trolley tour and visiting all the other sites that Kingston has to offer.”

“According to a study conducted by St.Lawrence Parks commission, the tours will bring an estimated 6 million dollars back into the local economy.”

Local bar and restaurant owners are expecting tours of the big house to bring brisk business

Gary Cork/General Manager, Tir Na Nog:
“It’s going to be great for tourism and of course when tourism is great, it’s great for us as well.

The Penitentiary Museum had a record breaking attendance in 2015 and saw more than 35 thousand people. The museum is the second most popular stop on the Kingston Trolley Tours. Officials say the prison tour will increase ridership.

Hugh Mackenzie/General Manager, Kingston Thousand Island Cruises:
“It’s great to have Fort Henry on one book end of the town and the penitentiary on the other. Of course the trolley links all the sites. So we’re thinking that visitors will use us as an opportunity to see all the various attractions in Kingston.”

Kingston Residents seem to be just as excited as business owners to see what’s behind the doors of the moth-balled prison. Tours of the jail will be reserved for Kingstonians on Tuesdays.

“We heard really good things about the tours. Unfortunately we missed it last time. Really looking forward to going when it’s opening again. I’m all for it.”

“The only other way you were going to see it is if you were locked up.

The next step could involve integrating Kingston Pen tours into package deals with other local attractions.