Great Lakes mayors call for Ontario to be promoted as shoreline hot spot

TORONTO (AP) - A Canadian study says better promotion of Ontario's Great Lakes beaches and shorelines as tourist destinations might help protect them from further deterioration.

The plan, produced by a group of Ontario mayors, calls for more public appreciation and engagement about the waters, which contain about one-fifth of the world's fresh surface water and 95 percent of North America's supply.

The report suggests a coordinated advertising and public information campaign would benefit Ontario's economy by keeping tourism dollars at home.