Tourism can bring huge economic potential to a destination that wants to develop its tourism industry. In short, it creates business, creates employment, and economic activity. Many ask how many tourists travel to this area and podner how we can attract them. Once the tourists are here, what activities are available for them to partake in?
It is a fact that towns like Langeburg do not have to look for tourists, we have a natural flow of them which passes through Highways 1 and 16 all year round. Unfortunately, many tourists stop only for a couple of hours; there is much larger potential.
Another large portion of tourists are people who come to visit their family and friends. What can we promote so these visitors stay here longer and contribute to the local economy? Tourism development could help. If the surrounding communities (including businesses) join forces and passionately develop the tourism industry in this area, we can create a destination here that can offer many unique tourist attractions These experiences can include anything from seeing old churches or farm tours, theatre, and dinners in the field, nightlife sky observations, and many many other options.
Recently, Lina Petkeviciene, Economic Development Officer at the Town of Langenburg, initiated the first regional tourism meeting, the aim of which was to introduce the ideas of regional tourism development to the surrounding communities and receive feedback on the idea of forming a regional tourism planning committee.
Participants came to the meeting from many places and organizations, including Langenburg, Churchbridge, Esterhazy, Russell-Binscarth, Yorkton, and Melville.
The Tourism Saskatchewan representative Darcy Acton, presented the profiles of regional tourists and markets, tourism development experience, current funding opportunities, comparison of tourism organizational structures, and useful information for the future development of the tourism region.
The group discussed the area of future regional destination tourism and which communities could be involved. The group agreed to form an initial team that would jointly identify and bring together all participating communities and will work with Saskatchewan Tourism, Manitoba Tourism, Prairies Economic Development Canada, and SEDA to get support on destination development.
The following people have been selected for this team:
Randy Goulden, Yorkton
Jennifer Stein, Melville
Tammy MacDonald, Garth Forster, Esterhazy
Thomas McLeod, Estha Baseley, Karen Goraluk, Russell, MB
Lina Petkeviciene, Langenburg
Darcy Acton, Tourism Saskatchewan (support)
Elise Wood, Tourism Manitoba (support)
Participants in the meeting included Honourable Warren Kaeding, Lina Petkeviciene (EDO, Langenburg), Jeff Farmer (Councillor, Langenburg), Joann McDonell (Councillor, Langenburg), Kim Wondrasek (Tourism Saskatchewan Board of Directors), Darcy Acton (Tourism Saskatchewan, Industry Development Consultant), Randy Goulden (Yorkton City Councillor), Jennifer Stein (Communications, Community Development and Events Manager, Melville), Carol Wiens (Melville and District Chamber of Commerce), Bill Johnston (Mayor, Churchbridge), Barb McIvor (Churchbridge Business Association), Tammy MacDonald (Planning and Economic Development Director, Esterhazy), Garth Forster (Community Development and Recreation Director, Esterhazy), Thomas McLeod (EDO, Assiniboine Valley Regional CDC), Estha Baseley (Councillor, Russell-Binscarth), Karen Goraluk (Asessippi Parkland Tourism).
If you or your community is interested to be part of the Regional Tourism, please contact Lina Petkeviciene, cdo@langenburg.ca.