Passenger ship unveils Killarney to tourists, boosts local economy
History was made recently in Killarney as the Viking Octantis made its maiden stop at the Georgian Bay community.
It marks a return to passenger ships in the area, something the port hasn't seen in more than 80 years.
Killarney is a community that for decades managed to stay off the beaten path, a tourist gem that was mostly spread through word of mouth. But that could be changing.
"The Octantis is, it's a new build, in terms of expedition ... it's just different, they have their own water toys on board," said Bruce O'Hare, of Lakeshore Excursions
"This is the biggest ship that will get into the St. Lawrence Seaway and through the locks."
The ship is an expedition-class ship built for adventure-seekers. It's expected to spend this summer and next cruising the Great Lakes, taking in what this community has to offer.
After years of work and planning behind the scenes, this is the maiden stop in Killarney for the Viking Octantis. So far, the investment appears to be paying off.
Cruising the Great Lakes has become more popular in recent years. It's a welcome boost for a town where the population easily doubles with Octantis' arrival.
"This is a great port of call for them I think, lots to do, lots of kayaking, hiking, fishing and canoeing so they're going to get a lot to experience today," said Holden Rhodes, Killarney Mountain Lodge owner.
Capt. Seann O'Donoughue, Octantis pilot, said more than 100 people leave the boat to take in what Killarney has to offer.
"The people on board are absolutely flabbergasted to come out and see this," O'Donoughue said.
"They've done the usual cruise ship things to see the cities like Toronto, Cleveland, Chicago, Milwaukee, and so to come up here to see the nature -- this is what they wanted to see."
The locals here says it's a welcome economic driver.
"We have a warm community that likes people coming to visit in the summer," said Jim Rook, Killarney's deputy mayor.
"Tourism is our mainstay nowadays. It use to be fishing and lumber and 1,000 years ago it used to be the fur trade."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.