Local entrepreneurs can learn the ins and outs of running a tourism business next week.
Travel Alberta is partnering with the Town of Okotoks, Community Futures and the Business Development Bank of Canada to bring the “Tourism Entrepreneurship Seminar” to Okotoks on March 16. The event will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in council chambers at the municipal building.
Alexandra Ross, Okotoks economic development specialist, said the seminar is open to anyone interested in opening a tourism business or looking at new opportunities.
“Existing companies looking at expansion are also encouraged to take a look at how they can expand and integrate into a new role with the tourism background,” said Ross.
She said many business owners may be surprised to learn their companies are currently part of the tourism scene in Okotoks.
“Anyone from an ice cream shop to a retail store can be considered part of the tourism industry, and they are certainly welcome to attend,” said Ross. “They might learn new ways to capitalize on tourism and enhance their business with new trends.”
The concept behind the workshops is to get current and prospective business owners thinking about how the services they offer can tap into tourism both in Okotoks and the region.
Scott Martin, tourism development consultant for the government of Alberta, said the seminar is one of many planned in towns and cities as the Province looks to diversifying its economy.
“It’s strictly informational,” said Martin. “Essentially, we offer business support, like how to write a business plan, getting ideas down on paper, how to market ideas once the business is up and running.”
He said the seminar is also an opportunity for business owners to see what kinds of services and supports are available as they expand or build a business.
With Okotoks situated just south of Calgary, he said the town is located in the heart of a major market for tourism, and entrepreneurs need to learn how to capitalize on it.
“It’s important to build tourism, which is an $8 billion industry in the province of Alberta,” said Martin. “With oil and gas taking a downturn everyone in the province is looking for a way to diversify and be less reliant on oil and gas moving forward. Overall, tourism is viewed as one of the sectors that can help that diversification.”
Registration for the Tourism Entrepreneurship Seminar is available online at www.okotoksventure.ca. There is no charge, but pre-registration is required.
