The city and County of Wetaskiwin have joined forces to develop a comprehensive regional tourism strategy aimed at "showcasing the area’s rich cultural heritage, recreational offerings, and natural beauty."
“When promoted collectively, the region offers something for everyone," said the city's economic development coordinator, Raelene Coffey, in a press release.
"We have the potential to increase visitor traffic, support our local businesses, and drive economic growth.”
The strategy will be developed in collaboration with local tourism operators and will serve as a guiding framework to align tourism efforts across the region, the release states.
Key objectives include identifying shared assets, unlocking opportunities for new development, enhancing the visitor experience, and building capacity for sustainable tourism.
The project is being supported by the Government of Alberta’s Northern and Regional Economic Development Program, which funds initiatives that strengthen and diversify regional economies.
“We understand the value of collaborating,” said Richard Horncastle, director of economic development for the Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI), the county’s economic development agency.
“We’re eager to work with tourism operators across the region to show everyone just how diverse and incredible our corner of Alberta is.
"And we’re also excited to work with the city on this project, reducing costs to taxpayers while ensuring we get the best possible value for our public dollar.”
“We have many hidden gems within the county and are excited to support them and share their stories,” said Reeve Josh Bishop.
“It’s a good opportunity to tie these attractions together with the city’s to promote the region as a destination.”
A consultant will be selected in the coming weeks, with work on the strategy set to begin soon after,
“While economic uncertainty in the U.S. may mean Canadians are choosing to vacation within Canada, it can also make life difficult for business owners as costs increase," said Horncastle.
“We want to support our small businesses through these challenging times.”
“We have lots to discover right here in the Wetaskiwin region,” said Coffey. “We’re looking forward to working with our tourism operators to let everyone know that.”
