Richard Froese
Spotlight
High Prairie will host a new tourism seminar Feb. 12 created to help more tourism industry entrepreneurs start businesses, diversify the economy and draw tourists to Alberta.
The free seminar is scheduled for the Provincial Building in Boardroom B from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., says a government news release.
“For people who are interested in exploring opportunities in this exciting industry, the Tourism Entrepreneurship Startup Seminar (TESS) offers a strong foundation of expert knowledge and business fundamentals to help them succeed,” Culture and Tourism Minister Ricardo Miranda says.
“Tourism helps diversify the economy, create jobs and encourage investment in communities across Alberta
The goal is to help new businesses get the information and resources they need to start up and succeed.
TESS provides entrepreneurs with free expert advice and information about the opportunities and challenges facing the tourism industry.
“The vitality and continued potential of Alberta’s tourism sector is a credit to the province’s entrepreneurs who help create and support must-see attractions and experiences,” Miranda says.
The seminar series addresses key tourism industry topics like seasonality, financing and marketing in a one-day seminar format.
Advance registration is required and subject to availability.
TESS is part of Culture and Tourism’s suite of Tourism Entrepreneurship Programs, which offer tools and services to help entrepreneurs start new tourism businesses and help existing tourism entrepreneurs innovate, expand or refresh their operations.
Programs support the government’s efforts to increase the development of must-experience tourism destinations to grow tourism in Alberta.
They also support the Rural Alberta Economic Development Action Plan and Small Business Strategy.
TESS is designed to assist start-up tourism entrepreneurs and businesses (from concept to about two years in business), access information and resources to help increase the likelihood of a successful start-up tourism business.
TESS teaches key industry concepts for new tourism companies and also includes a take-home workbook for self-work and an “expert café” of short meetings with tourism specialists in finance, marketing, and labour.
For more information or to register, visit the TESS webpage at culturetourism.alber ta.ca/TESS.