Capitalizing on trails to promote tourism in central Alberta
The Central Alberta Tourism Alliance is putting a plan ahead to upgrade and grow the trail-based visitor economy in central Alberta.
Ten local municipalities make up the alliance – Lacombe, Olds, Sylvan Lake, Rocky Mountain House, Innisfail, Blackfalds, Red Deer, Red Deer County, Clearwater County and Lacombe County.
“Our plan is to capitalize on the trails we have in the area,” said Jennifer Hartigh, Economic Development Officer for the Town of Blackfalds and project lead on the Trails Tourism Strategy. “This particular strategy looks at the inventory of the trails we currently have in the region and identifying those that have the greatest potential to attract tourism and enhance our economy that way.”
Currently, there are three signature trails in the central Alberta area. One is a hiking trail out west in Clearwater County. The second is a trail designed for off-highway motorized vehicles, like ATVs, from Rocky Mountain House to Nordegg, then beyond through various trails to the Bighorn Area. The third is a cycling trail that goes alongside the Trans-Canada Trail from Olds to Lacombe.