Lethbridge’s local tourism group says they are hearing from travellers various reasons why they are choosing to travel to southern Alberta instead of heading south to the United States.
Senior Director of Communications with Tourism Lethbridge Dominika Wojcik says these reasons range from the dollar exchange rates to the unknown of what is going on politically in the U.S. However, she says an opportunity has opened for the region to shine.
“We know that Lethbridge offers some really amazing, authentic experiences that are rooted in agriculture, history and, of course, community. So while Lethbridge itself has a ton of culture, art, food and different experiences to offer,” Wojcik says.”We also have all of those outside regional experiences, everything from the agri-tourism, which is some of those farm tours that you can actually go experience and see how some of the local food is being made.”
As well around the Lethbridge region, there are four United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization sites in southern Alberta, including Waterton Lake National Park, Head Smashed in Buffalo, Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park, and the Dinosaur Provincial Park. Wojcik says with having these sites in the region people can have a feeling of safety and comfort by staying in Canada.
“You know, it takes away some of the expenses of travel that we normally see if we have to fly somewhere or drive a little further and if they’re just staying a little closer to home, there’s still so much to explore.”
“On top of that, we’ve got a lot of those regional experiences that are incorporating a lot more than just one spot. So things like the Highway 3 Ale Trail, which who doesn’t love checking out a brewery and checking out what these other small towns and producers and food stops all have within our city.”
She adds these experiences are bringing a number of local towns and cities together, because when people are planning extended trips they are most likely visiting and staying in more than one community.
Along with providing a local option for travellers, Wojcik says tourism will add back to the economy with travellers spending money in these communities.
“While it’s unfortunate these tariffs are hitting all of these local people that are working really hard in order to provide for us in our community, but we do have an opportunity to get more visitors down here so that they can spend their dollars and put that back into our community.”
“Hopefully it just kind of becomes the cycle and of course, it’s that shop local initiative all over again. We did it during COVID, and now we need to come back to that.”
She encourages everyone to explore and check out local breweries, restaurants and other attractions in the local area.
