Tourism Saskatchewan - IndustryMatters.com

The President’s Task Teams were formed in response to
Saskatchewan’s first Summit on Tourism in 2007, during
which delegates identified a number of barriers to
overcome in order to advance the tourism sector from
Good to GREAT. Four Task Teams were assembled to
address the following issues: quality assurance,
resources, product development and infrastructure, and
resident pride. A fifth, one dedicated to cultural tourism,
would build upon the work of a previous committee, the
Cultural Tourism Tactical Team. Over 50 business/industry
leaders and influential “ambassadors” of the province
were recruited to share their expertise, and provide
guidance on specific challenges.
The Task Teams began their three-year mandate in 2009.
From the beginning, the value of these committees was
evident. There has been progress on several fronts,
particularly in the area of quality assurance. The
commitment of Task Team members to “raising the bar”
on service levels and improving Saskatchewan’s image
has moved work on this critical matter ahead of schedule.
A decision was made to extend the mandate of this
committee for an additional year to assist with the first
stage of implementation of the province-wide Quality
Assurance Program for the tourism sector. Likewise,
members of the Resource and Funding Task Team
committed to another one-year cycle to fulfill several
objectives.
A Terms of Reference were developed for a sixth
committee, and the new Tourism Labour Market Task
Team met for the first time in September 2011. This group
consists of experienced leaders in tourism human
Regina Folk Festival
resources from across Saskatchewan, as well as
representing national bodies.
Although the mandates of the Cultural Tourism and
Provincial Image Task Teams reached their conclusion,
members remain in close contact to Tourism
Saskatchewan and expressed their willingness to
continue to contribute advice. Several members of the
Cultural Tourism Task Team proceeded to participate in a
broader committee of representatives from arts, cultural,
and heritage organizations to examine cultural tourism
issues and respond collectively to the Government of
Saskatchewan’s Cultural Policy.
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