Tourism was a strong element of Yorkton's economy in 2010, and is expected to see continued strength through 2011, said Tourism Yorkton president Neil Thom.
"From a tourism standpoint, 2010 was a great year for Yorkton and Saskatchewan. Starting with the January torch run and the great exposure at the Saskatchewan Pavilion at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver,
Yorkton was on the map. With partners like the Yorkton Exhibition bringing new events like the parimutuels and chuck wagon races to the City and the work going on with a patent crop interpretive centre, 2011 is going to be a great year for Tourism in Yorkton," said Thom at the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday.
Thom said the local success is in-part due to the City of Yorkton's support of the local tourism organization.
"Your investment in Tourism Yorkton ensures we are the only Tourism Information Centre on the Yellowhead from Winnipeg to Saskatoon that is open 12 months of the year. In turn we provide economic spin-offs for Yorkton's business community from potential tourists," said Thom.
Thom said partnerships are a key element of building the tourism sector in Yorkton.
"One of Tourism Yorkton's objectives is to maintain cohesive partnerships for all the stakeholders in the tourism sector. Behind the scenes we are constantly working with the convention facilities, hotels, and a host of organizations to ensure visitors to the city "where good things happen" happen," he said.
Thom said partnerships have allowed Tourism Yorkton to create some valuable promotional tools for the sector.
"The convention and event guide along with the relocation package are available on the tourism website. The collaboration of partnerships that created these documents has provided an excellent tool to guarantee that Tourism Yorkton can disseminate up-to-date accurate information to perspective visitors," he said.
The same partnership allows Tourism Yorkton to connect with far more people than they could as a single organization, said Thom.
"Through strategic partnerships we participated in $137,000 were in marketing opportunities. Mini-maps, visitor guides, television, radio and print advertising, along with website promotions make for a well rounded marketing strategy. Tourism Yorkton is constantly re-evaluating our investment approach to focus on the highest yields to grow tourism dollars in Yorkton," he said.
