The benefits of tourism to Sylvan Lake’s economy and growth are expounded by community business owners, employees and others in a video released this week by the town.
Titled “Economic Benefits of Tourism” its goal is to “communicate to residents, council and other key audiences the value of tourism,” said Vicki Kurz, the town’s economic development officer. “Buy-in from local residents and council for the coming 2015 (town) budget is critical to moving forward the tourism industry in Sylvan Lake, including marketing and development management components.”
IMedia TV, of Red Deer, was recruited to film and direct video segments, conduct interviews, and edit the video with community stakeholders over the last year.
To view the video, check the town’s website (www.sylvanlake.ca/public-notices.html) or go to YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4hRigWgduQ)
“The town was happy to have co-operation and input from the business community and other stakeholders on this important project,” said Kurz in a media release. “Understanding how tourism impacts the economic picture in Sylvan Lake is really crucial, especially when you count the number of jobs the industry creates and how the wealth is redistributed to support the community and recreation infrastructure.”
A second initiative will take place this summer when the town, working in partnership with Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation will conduct a Tourism Economic Impact Assessment. This will include data collection by surveyors and then running the data through the provincial government’s economic impact model. Information from the study will be added to the video as an update in late fall 2014.