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FOUR TOURISM PROJECTS FROM ACROSS THE PROVINCE RECEIVE FUNDING
Four tourism projects that will provide increased opportunities for job creation and boost economic development in areas around Saskatchewan are receiving federal and provincial funding.
Veterans Affairs Minister Ron Duhamel, Secretary of State (Western Economic Diversification) (Francophonie) and Saskatchewan Economic and Co-operative Development Minister Eldon Lautermilch today announced $922,000 in tourism support under the Canada-Saskatchewan Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA).
The Chaplin Tourism Committee, on behalf of the Saskatchewan Birding Trail Strategy, will receive $407,000 over three years for improving capital infrastructure, including interpretive signage and site upgrading, to implement the Saskatchewan Birding Trail Strategy.
The Duck Lake Historical Museum Society will upgrade and promote the Duck Lake Museum with a $335,000 contribution over two years.
The Trans-Canada #1 West Association will receive $112,500 over three years for promotional initiatives, including an interactive Web site, in order to increase tourism traffic along the Trans-Canada Highway in southern Saskatchewan.
The Ecotourism Society of Saskatchewan (ESS) will receive $67,500 over two years to complete an ecotourism accreditation process on Saskatchewan tourism operations.
"Our support for these initiatives highlights the Government of Canada's commitment to building stronger communities," Minister Duhamel said. "We're pleased to partner with communities and organizations as they rise to the challenge of building on existing local opportunities to promote growth and diversification in their regions."
"Tourism is one of Saskatchewan's most dynamic industries, building on our many natural and historic attractions and on our pride of place," Lautermilch said. "These projects speak to the diversity of the Saskatchewan tourism experience and to some of the new vacation products that today's travellers want."
There are about 4,500 tourism operators in the province. Tourist expenditures generate more than $1 billion annually in Saskatchewan. It is the fastest growing economic sector in the province, employing about 42,000 people.
The Canada/Saskatchewan WEPA, administered by Western Economic Diversification Canada and Saskatchewan Economic and Co-operative Development, was established in 1998 to direct $40 million over five years toward initiatives that support new economic infrastructure, tourism products, export and marketing initiatives, and new economic opportunities, including rural and northern economic development. Since WEPA was created, more than $27 million has been announced for 22 projects in Saskatchewan.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Joanne Mysak
Manager, Consultations, Marketing and Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
(306) 975-5942
Bob Ellis
Director, Public Affairs
Saskatchewan Economic and Co-operative Development
Regina, Saskatchewan
(306) 787-1691
WD Toll-Free Number:1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
WD Website: www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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Backgrounder
Saskatchewan Birding Trail Strategy: $407,000
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Saskatchewan Birding Trail Strategy members will use the contribution to implement the strategy, focusing on Chaplin Lake and Quill Lakes, which have a "Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network" designation. The contribution will cover costs such as promotional highway signage, upgrading tour sites and displays and improvements to interpretive centres in Chaplin and Quill Lakes.
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The strategy will link the expertise and resources of several diverse organizations: wildlife, tourism, economic development, and community organizations, in order to create birding tours of regional, national and international quality; provide services and facilities supported by the local community; and market the trail to tour operators and provincial and international tourism associations.
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The birding trail strategy involves a partnership among Chaplin Tourism Committee, Quill Lakes Tourism Committee, Saskatchewan Wetland Conservation Corporation, Ducks Unlimited Canada and South Central Community Futures Development Corporation.
Contact: Ken Kessler, Coordinator, Saskatchewan Birding Trail Strategy, (306) 395-2556
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The Duck Lake Historical Museum Society will revitalize the 10-year-old Duck Lake Museum, allowing it remain viable while playing a leadership and coordination role for tourism and marketing initiatives in the Saskatchewan Rivers Heritage Area (Duck Lake, Rosthern, Fort Carlton, Batoche). The museum will become a focal point and information centre for the region. Tourists will be able to stop at the facility to plan their itinerary for the region.
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With the $335,000 contribution, the society will hire staff and make capital upgrades to exhibits and outside landscaping. The money will also be used for advertising, Web site development, promotional materials, signage and marketing staff to increase awareness of the facility.
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The museum houses a collection of more than 4,000 artifacts from the Northwest Rebellion, the Hudson Bay Company, the Northwest Mounted Police, as well as First Nations clothing and beadwork, pioneer tools and equipment.
Contact: Ron Bazylak, Ex-officio board member, Duck Lake Historical Museum Society, (306) 467-2076; Shirley Perillat, President, Duck Lake Historical Museum Society, (306) 467-4847
Trans-Canada #1 West Association: $112,500
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The not-for-profit association has a mandate to promote economic and tourism development for communities and business along the Trans-Canada Highway corridor (100 kilometres north and south) in the three Prairie Provinces. The contribution will support several innovative initiatives to increase tourism along or adjacent to the Trans-Canada in Saskatchewan.
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The project incorporates traditional print-based promotional vehicles and highway signage with new technology such as an interactive Trans-Canada Highway Web-site with on-line maps for peronalized travel planning, mini-information sites along the highway and an FM band tourism radio channel with a continuous message featuring events and history about attractions along the highway. The increased promotion is expected to increase tourism expenditures of the highway's 522,000 annual "pass-through" travellers.
Contact: Bruce Anderson, Manager, Trans-Canada #1 West Association (306) 585-3948
Ecotourism Society of Saskatchewan (ESS): $67,500
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The ESS, which operates on a volunteer basis, was founded in 1992 to support and promote both the development of a Saskatchewan ecotourism industry and protection and perpetuation of host natural ecosystems and cultures. Its year-old accreditation program, Horizons, was developed jointly with Tourism Saskatchewan in response to the need to identify and promote genuine ecotourism operations throughout Saskatchewan.
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The WEPA contribution will be used to cover ESS costs to complete the accreditation process for known ecotourism operations plus others such as traditional outfitters who decide to convert to ecotourism. Accreditation applicants have to pay a small fee. The society anticipates that 45 businesses will be accredited with the funding.
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Eight Saskatchewan operations are currently accredited. According to the ESS, Australia is the only other jurisdiction in the world with an operating ecotourism accreditation system of the same high standard as Saskatchewan's.
Contact: Joseph Hnatiuk, chairperson, Ecotourism Society of Saskatchewan, (306) 751-0120
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