The tourism industry was hit early and hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, but Tourism Saskatoon is looking towards recovery, with a new initiative announced during Tourism Week.

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada and Tourism Saskatchewan have selected Saskatoon to co-host two province wide workshops aimed at Saskatchewan culinary experiences. The workshop series will look to support small and medium-sized businesses in rural and secondary markets in the province.

Stephanie Clovechok, Vice President and Director of Innovation at Tourism Saskatoon, says this investment will create jobs for the community and food system security throughout the province. She adds there will be some incredible experiences from the workshops, things like brewery or guided food tours, a sunset dinner on the open prairie, or an interpretative northern light viewing experience around a campfire with an Indigenous Elder. Clovechok explains these are things that people from around the world come to Saskatoon to experience and this is the chance to inspire people in Saskatoon to get out into their own backyards to have those experiences.

The workshops are scheduled August 11th and 12th and will help tourism operators across the province develop strategies to maintain their business, create culinary experiences and learn how to drive visitation to their communities. Tourism Week runs nationally from May 24th-30th and is an annual celebration of Canada’s tourism industry, employees and attractions for visitors at home or abroad.