Tourism is alive and well in Yorkton and local Tourism President Neil Thom was in attendance at Monday evening's regular meeting of council to provide an update on 2010 happenings as well as to thank council for ongoing support.
"We are the only tourism centre on the Yellowhead from Winnipeg to Saskatoon that's open 12 months of the year," said Thom.
"In turn we provide economic spin-offs for Yorkton's business community..."
In fact in 2009 alone, travel and tourism generated an estimated $31.3 million in travel receipts in the Yorkton Constituency.
Thom says Tourism Yorkton continually works with local businesses and stakeholders to ensure dollars keep flowing and visitors are reminded Yorkton is a city where good things happen. Through emails, letters and phone calls tourism works to secure local events and to boost interest in Yorkton.
In 2010 the local branch participated in $137,582 worth or marketing projects, it enhanced its website (www.tourismyorkton.com) and boosted its membership to the third largest in Saskatchewan (following closely behind Regina and Saskatoon).
New objectives have taken hold for 2011 and Thom is confident this area will continue to experience growth and positive change.
"Tourism Yorkton is constantly re-evaluating our investment approach to focus on the highest yield to grow tourism dollars in Yorkton," adds Thom.
"From a tourism perspective, 2010 was a great year for Yorkton and for Saskatchewan."
The positives began with the Olympic Torch run and the exposure of the Saskatchewan pavilion in Vancouver and continued with the many events the city hosted throughout the year.
"With partners like the Yorkton Exhibition bringing in new events like the parimutuels and chuck wagon races and the work going into the potential crop interpretive centre 2011 is going to be a great year again for tourism."
