Grande Prairie – March 15, 2019 – Today, at the Destination Management Plan (DMP) announcement located in Centre 2000, the Grande Prairie Regional Tourism Association (GPRTA) revealed that Northwest Consultants have been chosen to lead the project. This DMP, the first to ever be conducted in the Grande Prairie Region will be a year long project with regional input by supporters, operators, municipalities, and other interested parties. The purpose of the DMP is to evaluate the current tourism economy and will set the blueprint for tourism investment, product development, branding, training, and marketing of the area. Richard Warring, President of Northwest Consultants based in Edmonton, had this to say, “We’re thrilled to be creating and developing this Destination Management Plan over the next 12 months for a Region as vibrant and significant as this. Our team will bring strategic planning, destination development best practices, and marketing campaign experience to this project. We look forward to deliver this plan after consultation and engagement with all interested parties within this Region”.

Tourism is a large factor in our Region’s economic development and the DMP will be a driving force in generating growth in the visitor economy. GPRTA’s geographical reach is ‘grande’ in nature with involvement from a group of regional partners, members, and municipalities. “We have such a diversity of events to offer in the Town of Beaverlodge, Village of Hythe, Town of Wembley, Town of Sexsmith, City of Grande Prairie, County of Grande Prairie No.1, Saddle Hills County and the MD of Greenview. I’m really looking forward to working with the Grande Prairie Regional Tourism Association and Northwest Consultants to make THIS the destination to be when it comes to Tourism” said Cyndi Corbett, Town of Beaverlodge representative on the GPRTA board.

Support of the DMP was graciously provided by the Grande Prairie Region Destination Properties (DMF), the County of Grande Prairie No. 1, Community Futures, and the Alberta Economic Development and Trade (CARES Grant). The completion of this year long plan aims to stimulate innovation that will increase investments into our region’s economy resulting in the production of new businesses and jobs within the visitor and tourism sector.

Information provided by the Grande Prairie Regional Tourism Association.