MEDICINE HAT, AB — Tourism Medicine Hat has partnered with Travel Alberta to create a badlands tour.
The goal is to attract travellers from around the world and show them what Medicine Hat and southeastern Alberta has to offer.
Right now the tours are being offered to public relations experts working in the tourism industry.
Jace Anderson with Tourism Medicine Hat said this project is bringing Medicine Hat some international attention.
“[These] are PR executives that are working in [travel and tourism] markets whether it’s in China, Mexico, Germany or the Netherlands, as well as the United States and Canada,” he said.
It’s hoped their experiences here will help to sell the tour and the city to foreign travellers.
Anderson said this has been in the works for a couple of years.
“It’s just really been an on-going multi-year plan and partnership with Travel Alberta to put Medicine Hat on the map,” said Anderson.
The tour involves a visit to Dinosaur Provincial Park to see dinosaur bones up close. Travellers will also get to check out downtown Medicine Hat’s unique coffee culture and history during a walking tour.
There are several local businesses on board with the tour offering visitors an inside look at what it is they do.
For the owners of the MadHatter Roastery the exposure is invaluable.
“It gives a buzz for other people to be coming in,” said co-owner Katrina Marshall “Witnessing from all over the world, Medicine Hat, and our cafe and our roasting and our beans. It’s really huge for us.”
Anderson said they are hoping the badlands tour will attract some of the thousands of tourists who come to see the Rocky Mountains every year.
“Frankly we might never compete with the Rockies from an international focal standpoint,” he admitted. “But, we do recognize that when they come to Alberta for the Rockies, they are open to seeing something else too.”
Anderson said so far the feedback has been fantastic and there are already people interested in booking tour groups.
