From left to right: Elder Lyle Keewatin Richards, Mayor Ken Johnston, Tourism Red Deer Board Co-chair Jonathan Strome, and Red Deer County Councillor Lonny Kennet cut the ribbon on this year's new-and-improved tour guide. (Ashley Lavallee-Koenig / rdnewsNOW)

By Ashley Lavallee-Koenig

"Game Changer"

Tourism Red Deer announces new partnership

May 15, 2024 | 10:25 AM

Tourism Red Deer announced big moves for the summer, including a renewed partnership with Hotels Red Deer and a brand-new section in the tourist guide, Indigenous Red Deer.

“This partnership is a game changer. It allows Hotels Red Deer and Tourism Red Deer to pool our resources as we market our region collectively to audiences far and wide,” said Jonathan Strome, co-chair of the Tourism Red Deer board of directors. “Together, we will incentivize travellers and events to experience our region to come earlier and to stay. This partnership enables us to further develop our marketing content and showcase all that our community has to offer.”

Representatives from Red Deer County, the City, Tourism Red Deer, as well as Elder Lyle Keewatin Richards and many more gathered at the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame on May 14 to celebrate the announcements.

The ceremony began with mingling and live music by Michelle Colby, followed by a cleansing smudge of the space and a blessing from Elder Richards, who consulted on the Indigenous section of this year’s guide.

The Indigenous Red Deer section of the guide includes a brief history on the naming of the city and its connection to the Indigenous roots in the area, as well as an overview of Red Deer’s well-known powwows, and a QR code that takes readers to related activities in the region.

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“Looking at the guide here reminds me that Red Deer has always punched over its weight,” Richards said.

Other representatives, such as Red Deer County Councillor Lonny Kennett shared similar sentiments to Richards, celebrating the efforts Red Deer puts into its events and tourism given the size of the city.

Tourism and Hotels Red Deer expect their new partnership to contribute positively to these efforts by attracting more people and events for longer amounts of time, benefits that should trickle down to local businesses as well.

“By working together, we can offer tailored experiences, attractive deals and seamless accommodation options, enticing more visitors to explore,” said Ronnie Sanorjo, board co-chair for Hotels Red Deer.

There are 10 hotels under Hotels Red Deer that are participating in the partnership.

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