WESTLOCK – The region northwest of Edmonton, rich in natural beauty and cultural experiences, has struggled to attract tourists due to limited awareness and a lack of coordinated marketing efforts. The newly formed Northwest of 16 Regional Tourism Association say they aim to change that.
The non-profit association’s website showcases unique experiences and attractions that make the region worth exploring, board member Cindy Day told the Westlock and District Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 18. She is the owner and operator of Lakeview Weddings and Events near Peanut Lake in the County of Barrhead.
“We are trying to attract international travellers and keep Alberta travellers within,” she said, adding that 90 per cent of Albertans typically head to B.C. for vacations.
The group is creating a website that is expected to go live at the end of March. So far, there are approximately 100 tourist destinations listed. The website will be one place for tourists seeking close-to-home travel destinations to get information on what is available in the region.
The website is broken up into categories such as mountain biking, quadding, and fishing, rather than by regions, said board member Marvin Polis, who is a small business owner in St. Albert and is originally from the Westlock area.
The association has the support of Alberta Tourism. They had a lot of help from Lacombe Regional Tourism to develop their initiative, said Barb Kostiw, executive director of the Tractor Museum in Westlock.
The region served by the association spans the area within two hours of the greater Edmonton region, north of Highway 16 and west of Highway 2.
The association’s promotional materials invite visitors to “come face to face with history” and “discover cultural experiences that come to life.” From mountain biking and quadding to fishing and cultural tours, the region offers a diverse range of activities for travellers.
Barrhead County is the first municipality to join the association at an annual cost of $1,000. Business owners and tourism operators pay $50 to join.
There are hopes to expand into the Peace Region and Grande Prairie if local stakeholders express interest.
“We are open to it,” said Polis.
The regional tourism association is also an opportunity for businesses and tourist organizations to network and work together, said Polis.
Kostiw said the initiative has great potential but she also pointed out that financial assistance is essential.
"We can’t develop something really great without financial assistance.”
The association, which started at the end of last year, can apply for grants from Alberta Tourism in approximately two years, said Polis. In the meantime, they need paying members to make the initiative long term.
For more information please email [email protected].
