While not yet a thing of the past, the traditional Ontario summer family vacation at the cottage, lakeside lodge, or resort is slowly dying. Resort owners can no longer count on family bookings to fill their peak summer months. Much of this is due to Ontario's aging population, and Canada having the largest baby boom generation by percentage of any other country in the world. Many boomers are nearing retirement and their children have moved away. Consequently, this has led to a tougher family market which means resorts must think beyond the standard vacation accommodation mentality. Furthermore, if resort owners want to fill their summer vacancies, they must make changes in order to capture the growing couples, boomers, and seniors market.

Today's older resort guests are looking for so much more than just a room with a view when they choose their Ontario resort vacation. Boomers and seniors tend to be more discerning. As a result, they want more of an upscale vacation experience and expect luxury amenities such as whirlpool tubs and fireplaces. In general, they are also more travelled than any previous generation, and they are knowledgeable consumers. While this group tends to have more disposable income and are willing to spend it, they also tend to expect more value for their money. More importantly, this group sees itself as young-at-heart, active and advantageous, and they are interested in trying new experiences. Not only do they want to try new things, they want to be pampered as well.

One way that Ontario resorts can help boast their boomer and seniors business is to utilize local events, attractions, and outfitters to deliver exciting packages that their guests can partake in. Some resorts are combining accommodations with activities such as dog sledding, canopy tours, photo safaris, as well as wilderness tours and fishing charters. Additionally, many resorts now offer special services such as spa services and catered in-room gourmet dining that guests may enjoy during their resort stay. However, these packages do not necessarily have to be discounted by the resort operator. Rather, customers are usually willing to pay full price for packages because of the convenience of having everything arranged for them.

Successful Ontario resorts must keep pace with changing trends in the vacation market by adapting their business to appeal to their changing clientele and continuing to attract guests to the property. In response to the changing demographics, resorts in Ontario must offer their guests value added packages.

Additionally, resorts must improve the quality of accommodations including updating the cottages and offering many upscale amenities. However, for those cottages and resorts that want to improve their marketability to new vacationers, they should focus on combining cottage rental accommodations with a unique service or activity and selling it as a special package. By continually offering exciting new packages for customers to choose from returning guests and new clients will be attracted to the property for multiple reasons.

Ontario resort owners have to compete with southern sun and sand all-inclusive resort properties as well as cruises and specialty tours in order to capture today's Canadian baby boomers and seniors' vacation dollars. It is crucial that Ontario resort operators understand their market, and package desirable activities and services along with accommodations, in order to keep attracting business to their properties.