A Prince Albert non-profit is encouraging people to get out of the house and enjoy the amenities the city has to offer this week.
May 26 to June 1 is tourism week, and locally, Prince Albert Tourism and Marketing Bureau has planned a week’s worth of events and promotions to get people to explore something new.
“Tourism Week is about celebrating what Prince Albert has to offer in terms of assets and attractions, and the impact that those types of businesses have,” said Amber Pratt, CEO of the Prince Albert Tourism and Marketing Bureau.
For the most part, it’s about instilling pride in our community, reminding people what we have here … and then it’s definitely for people who are in the area and want things to do.”
Residents, Pratt said, are the best form of marketing for tourism.
“You’re the ones who live here. If you love your community and can talk about all the great things we have in a positive light, then more people are more likely to come here,” she said.
“I think people tend to forget what’s in their own backyard. Sometimes you just get into your routine, go to the laces you’re used to going and forgetting to stop and explore the things that are new, or that you haven’t been to for a long time.”
A lot has changed in Prince Albert through the years, she continued.
“We have some fantastic assets here, some great history and culture, some fantastic new restaurants — we just encourage residents to get out and explore those things.”
Tourism is a large economic driver. Nationally, it’s the fourth-fastest growing industry. It contributes an estimated $100 million to the local economy each year, and generating more than $2.37 billion in travel expenditures and injecting $600 million annually to the provincial economy.
“Tourism is a huge economic driver, especially in our area,” Pratt said.
“Not just within the city — we have so many different sights and the national park nearby. We have a lot of different people who come through wanting to do a lot of different things, so the economy benefits from it hugely. I think it’s totally worth celebrating for tourism week.”
Tourism week has been proclaimed by both the city and the province.
Locally, Prince Albert Tourism and Marketing is promoting deals for axe throwing at Northern Elite Firearms, sales at Kingdom Toys and SK Jeep Tours and one-day promotions at Dr. Java’s and Funky Fresh.
The week of celebrations ends with a three-hour event with cake, prize draws, mobile laser tag, free museum entry and more at the Prince Albert Tourism site, located on the south end of town in the same building as the Chamber of Commerce, at the corner of Second Avenue West and Marquis Road.
The draws include event passes for Chester Fest and for Friday evening’s Clunie-Cooper Memorial PBR, toys, chocolates, drive-in and golf passes and more.
Even if residents can’t attend Friday’s event, they’re encouraged to spend the week getting to know their city better.
“Definitely go out and explore the city,” Pratt said.
“Check out some parks, check out some stores and restaurants, do something a little out of the box you’re not used to and explore what our city has to offer.”
For more information on Tourism Week, visit www.princealberttourism.com
