City council shifts tourism responsibilities from Economic Development Regina to REAL
City council has approved a motion that will shift tourism responsibilities to Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL).
Tourism Regina used to fall under Economic Development Regina (EDR).
“The entity that is Tourism Regina will continue to exist, the staff will continue to operate the way they already have, but from a leadership perspective the focus of tourism will be paired with the municipal corporation that is REAL,” said Tim Reid, REAL president and CEO.
REAL represents roughly 73 per cent of the tourism market in the city, according to financial reports from 2019.
The city-owned-and-operated organization will now be responsible for expanding events, marketing and tourism outside its 103-acre lot to the entire city.
“Before our job was just to fill our arenas,” Reid said.
“Our job now is to support the entire economy within the city. So it doesn’t stop at fill the arenas. Now it stops at fill the arenas, support local businesses and make sure that visitors in our cities are connected with things happening at REAL.”
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts sent to your device
REAL’s equipment, infrastructure and 500-plus staff members will now be available to help support events that happen off-site, including Shake the Lake and the Regina Folk Festival, Reid said.
The new agreement could also allow REAL to move some of its events to different venues, such as the Delta Hotel, if it is more appropriate.
Regina mayor Sandra Masters said the transition will create efficiencies and give Tourism Regina the resources it needs to expand promotions.
“Tourism perhaps doesn’t have the people to execute on producing festivals or creating initiatives—they are a staff of six or seven,” she said.
“It just makes a whole bunch of sense to leverage the community entity … that has the resources and the skill sets involved and actually create space for a new CEO at EDR to really go after the recruitment and investment here into the city.”
EDR will now strictly focus on business attraction, development and growth in the city.
“We will tell the city’s story and position Regina as the most competitive place in Western Canada to bring business, to bring investment dollars and to bring people,” said EDR CEO Chris Lane.
The city consulted EDR, REAL and both the Warehouse and Downtown Districts before the decision, according to the mayor.
Conexus Arts Centre CEO Neil Donnelly said the change comes as a surprise to many stakeholders, adding he is hopeful REAL will continue to offer support. However, he said he is waiting to see the proof.
Masters, on the other hand, said there will be city oversight to ensure REAL keeps up its end of the deal.
“REAL now has a responsibility for the entire city and are accountable to city council,” Masters said. “As they’ve always been for that promotion.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.