April 15th to 19th is tourism week in Canada, and the Cochrane Tourism Association is celebrating with an announcement.
“We’re pleased to share with the community that we’ve been invited to join the Think X Collective, a prominent group of international tourism organizations focused on enhancing local communities through tourism,” said Callandra Caufield, Executive Director of the Cochrane Tourism Association (CTA).
Joining the Collective aligns Cochrane with other progressive destinations such as Queenstown, New Zealand; Cape Town, South Africa; and Copenhagen, Denmark, establishing it as a leader in community-centred tourism. The partnership provides Cochrane with year-round access to mentorship, resources, and industry insights, which were previously accessible only through high-end consulting or significant staff commitment.
The association is eager to tap into the Collective’s network, fostering connections that promise to enhance its tourism initiatives and support local tourism operators, and by extension, benefit the Cochrane community at large. The collaboration also means Cochrane will be featured on a world stage later this year as part of a marketing campaign that highlights how to use tourism for good.
Caufield says that Cochrane has a lot to showcase.
“We have some really exceptional tourism operators in Cochrane. The Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary is using tourism to support animal conservation; Kelsey’s Caravan Water Adventures is using tourism to empower women to explore wilderness activities independently; and Early Dawn Farms is teaching regenerative agricultural practices through tourism.”
Caufield presented the CTA’s 2024-2027 Strategic Plan to Town council last week. The Plan is available for viewing on the Town of Cochrane website.
A Travel Alberta report suggests potential tourism spending in Cochrane and surrounding area between 2022 and 2035 will be $147 million annually.
The Cochrane Tourism Association, in partnership with the town of Cochrane, and with support from Travel Alberta, is the lead organization that implements a community focused tourism strategy. At arm’s length from the municipality, CTA operates through a partnership program focused on managing tourism and promoting the places, services, experiences, and attractions in and around Cochrane and along the Cowboy Trail.
