The Innisfail and District Chamber of Commerce is looking forward to a great tourism season this year, with partial thanks going to a joint financial contribution from the Province and town.

In order to give themselves some new useful tools in their tourism belt, the town is taking some experts advice, and getting some grants in order to help pay for it.

Back in 2015, tourism and travel expert Roger Brooks did an Assessment Findings and Suggestions Report for Innisfail, and they plan on going ahead with a couple of his suggestions, like an outdoor brochure holder and 24 hour tourism kiosk.

Through the Alberta Governments Visitor Services Innovation Fund, a total of $7,000 was requested for about $9,500 worth of proposed projects, and they asked the Town of Innisfail for some additional funds to cover the difference.

Executive Director for Innisfail Chamber Carla Gabert explains how this money will increase their tourism scope.

“We are going to be trying some new tourism ideas this year, including a mobile tourism kiosk, as well as a 24 hour tourism booth. It allows us to take a booth on site to different events, so if there is a tourism event going on at a tourist attraction, we can set up a booth there and let people know about all the other tourism that’s going on within the region.”

Also being added is a mobile tourism booth, something Gabert says will combine old and new tech for the full tourist experience which can be easily transported.

“It’s going to be a combination of paper as well as technology, so yes there will be IPads there too. (The 24 hour kiosk) is something that people can actually go in and pick up information from there, much like if our office was open during the day.”

$2,450 was approved by the town.

One of the reasons they needed to ask for funding was partly due to the shortfall caused by the Chamber being unable to secure STEP funding from the province this year, which would normally help cover their summer student.

 

Executive Director for Lacombe Regional Tourism Marie Peron with the new mobile visitors booth Ipad, similar to the ones Innisfail will use. Photo from June 7th, 2017.