In a move to draw in immigrants to the City of Kingston, the city government is aiming to use technology to improve its tourism and economy with some help from the outside.

The city unveiled it newcomers’ web portal yesterday, Kingston’s official website designed to provide information to individuals and families looking to start a new home in the city. The website features information about Kingston including its businesses, lifestyle, educational and job opportunities, and many more. The website is available in English and French, and also features a welcome message in 11 different languages.

According to Paul MacLatchy, the city’s director of strategy and communications, putting up a website that’s available in 13 languages was too costly for the city, especially during these tough economic times. Depending on how the site does, additions to its features may be very likely, he said.

The beauty about websites is that they’re so easy to change, he added.

Statistics findings indicated that around 40% of Canadian immigrants come and settle down in Ontario when arriving at the country. Two-thirds of those immigrants are made up of skilled workers and individuals with good education attainment.

For Kingston, its population is made up of 14% of immigrants, while Ontario’s is 27%.