YORKTON – According to the latest data released from Statistics Canada tourism expenditures are experiencing a strong increase in Saskatchewan.
"We're seeing that here in Yorkton," said Randy Goulden, Executive Director of Tourism Yorkton, in an interview with Â鶹ÊÓƵ.ca
Goulden went on to add that over the span of an hour on June 11 the tourism office was visited by tourists from Iowa, Texas and Switzerland.
"We let them know what Yorkton has to offer whether they're passing through or whether they're spending time. Even if they're passing through we know that they have to purchase fuel or food or repairs or whatever so we've got all that information here for them," said Goulden.
According to the Statistics Canada report, travel spending reached almost $2.85 billion in 2023, outpacing the $2.4 billion in spending that was generated in 2022. Similarly, hotel occupancy rates and revenue for 2023 showed significant growth over the previous year. Domestic travel is also showing strong numbers. Saskatchewan experienced 21 per cent growth in overnight visitation in 2023, the most out of all Canadian provinces.
“The tourism industry was heavily affected by the downturn in travel over the last few years, not only within the province but on a national and international level,” said Tourism Saskatchewan CEO Jonathan Potts in a media release from Tourism Saskatchewan.
Goulden said that tourism in the city has slowly rebounded from the pandemic.
"It's slowly coming back but now this summer we're seeing it really increasing," said Goulden, adding, "where we see our big numbers are after July 1 because many people start their vacations."
"Traditionally June was never a busy month because people were gearing up for the summer but now we have events going on constantly every weekend," said Goulden.
Goulden listed cultural, sporting and automobile events as the city's main attractions.
"That is what's bringing people into the city," said Goulden.
"Even people that stop here — we're getting more people that want to experience things," said Goulden, noting activities like the walking paths, trout pond and Crops of the Parkland are garnering the interest tourists.
The Conference Board of Canada predicts that tourism revenues will continue to increase. Long-term, the Conference Board of Canada estimates that Saskatchewan will reach approximately $3.57 billion in annual visitor expenditures in 2028, according to the release.
