It's an important week in the province and given where things are, as residents we have much to celebrate!
The Government of Saskatchewan officially proclaimed the week of June 9-15 as Saskatchewan Tourism Week.
Part of a broader national initiative called Tourism Week in Canada, which brings attention to the economic opportunity available to Canada through travel and tourism, Saskatchewan Tourism Week provides an excellent opportunity to broaden awareness about the importance of tourism in this province.
Did you know that tourism contributes more than $2 billion to Saskatchewan's economy annually, and, that in 2011, there were more than 11.9 million visits to and within the province? Approximately 57,300 people are employed in tourism or tourism-related jobs. It's a big industry.
"Saskatchewan Tourism Week is a time to celebrate our province's wealth of tourism resources - nearly 100,000 pristine lakes, limitless opportunities to explore and enjoy the outdoors, an enviable parks system, fascinating historic sites and attractions, colourful festivals and much more," Minister responsible for Tourism Saskatchewan Tim McMillan comments. "It also provides an opportunity to acknowledge those who drive the success of the industry and make Saskatchewan a great place to visit."
"Tourism's contributions to our province are significant," Tourism Saskatchewan Chief Executive Officer Pat Fiacco adds. "The industry is a strong player in our growing economy. It is a major employer and offers countless opportunities for innovative entrepreneurs. Tourism encourages community pride and development and showcases Saskatchewan's impressive assets - its rich history, diverse culture, and one-of-a-kind hospitality. This week is an occasion to celebrate tourism and profile an important industry that has huge potential for growth."
Three cheers for tourism!
