Photo Credit: Kevin Kyle

By Brian Konrad

Welcome Centre at Walsh saw dramatic increase in visitors in summer of ’23

Oct 11, 2023 | 3:51 PM

MEDICINE HAT — Officials with Cypress County are celebrating a successful season at the Welcome Centre in Walsh.

This was the third season the county operated the Welcome Centre, having leased the building in 2021.

Sean Rooney, the communications coordinator with Cypress County says additional staffing allowed them to operate the centre 7 days a week this summer, and that corresponded to an increase in visitors.

“The numbers were 82 per cent higher visitors than last year, which I know they’ve seen in Medicine Hat as well so it was just a great year for tourism in the entire south east region,” says Rooney.

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The Badlands Boutique inside the Welcome Centre was also a popular feature.

Rooney says area artisans were well represented and sales were 300 per cent higher than a year ago, although he says they didn’t really sell “a ton” but it was nice to see the artisans work being looked at and purchased.

One visitor from France hadn’t planned on stopping in Cypress County, but Rooney says after learning about all the attractions in the region, decided to stay and visit.

Others asked about the possibility of camping behind the Welcome Centre, but as the county doesn’t own the property that’s not possible, for now.

People wishing to camp were directed to available campgrounds in the region.