Tourism Week marked in Yorkton

It is Tourism week in Yorkton.

The week was designated by Yorkton Council at its regular meeting Monday following a request by Tourism Yorkton.

In making the presentation Darlene Stakiw, a Board member said, Tourism has been recognized in the Province of Saskatchewan’s “Partnership for Renewal” Economic Plan as, “one of the six leading industries and Saskatchewan’s fourth largest export industry after agriculture, mining and manufacturing.”

Further in a letter from Tourism Yorkton circulated Monday it noted “Tourism Week provides a special opportunity to show off our city and province. There are great places to visit for many reasons: the natural beauty, our friendly people, our fascinating heritage and culture and our incredible diversity. This is an important message to give not only to visitors, but also to our local residents who may bring visiting friends and relatives to businesses, events or attractions.”

In general terms tourism contributes $1.67 billion to the provincial economy annually and more than 58,000 people were employed in tourism-related industries in the province in 2015 – that’s more than 11 per cent of Saskatchewan’s current working population.

The definition of the tourist is anyone travelling away from home for the purpose of business or pleasure, or to visit friends or relatives – either overnight or from a distance of more than 40 km.