Developing and promoting northern Manitoba’s tourism industry was the focus of a summit near Flin Flon this week.
Camp Whitney played host to more than 30 delegates Tuesday in a brainstorming session designed bolster tourism across the region.
Coun. Karen MacKinnon, who attended on behalf of Flin Flon city council, said the summit was an eye-opener in terms of how important tourism is to the provincial economy.
Speaking at Tuesday’s city council meeting, she said she learned that tourism generates more out-of-province dollars for Manitoba than wheat.
MacKinnon said beaches, fishing and parks are considered the top three tourist draws, adding that the Flin Flon area has all three.
Also attending the summit was Colin Ferguson, president and CEO of the tourism agency Travel Manitoba, which hosted the event.
Ahead of the summit, Ferguson said the gathering would build on government investments in tourism while helping regional partners promote northern Manitoba as a destination for travellers from around the world.
Cliff Cullen, provincial minister of growth, enterprise and trade, did not attend the summit, as the Winnipeg Free Press erroneously reported, but he did say he looked forward to hearing about the ideas generated.
“A robust tourism industry already exists in the northern areas of the province and this summit is designed to foster conversation with northern Manitobans about further tourism and economic development opportunities,” Cullen added in a news release.
MacKinnon said attendees enjoyed Camp Whitney.
