ST. PAUL – The top tourist destinations in Alberta are often listed as Banff, Jasper, or the Rocky Mountains in general, but local efforts aim to change that.
Linda Sallstrom of the St. Paul/Elk Point Economic Development Alliance (STEP Alliance) wants people to visit the St. Paul and greater Lakeland region when they need a weekend away.
“My vision is, I want St. Paul and the STEP region to be top of mind as one of those locations people would want to travel,” she says, explaining, she wants people to know that “we have activities, destinations, and accommodations here. That would be my goal.”
So, the STEP Alliance has been stepping up its efforts to identify opportunities to develop the region as a tourist destination.
Sallstrom explains that Travel Alberta is looking to double tourism in the province by 2035 and that means increasing tourism outside the Rocky Mountains.
So, “they’re looking at other areas of the province” to develop. Travel Alberta has identified the Lakeland as one of its 10 tourism “development zones,” says Sallstrom.
She says both the STEP Alliance and Travel Alberta’s tourism strategy include developing the Iron Horse Trail.
E-bikes
In a regional aspect, the STEP Alliance is looking at building a network of electric bikes along the Iron Horse Trail with Pedego Edmonton, an Edmonton-based business that sells and rents electric bikes.
STEP Alliance members had the opportunity to try the electric bikes on the Iron Horse Trail on Oct. 31, to test the feasibility of building a network of e-bikes.
“We’re really happy to say that the [electronic bikes] worked very well,” says Sallstrom, adding, the STEP Alliance is now looking forward to working with Pedego Edmonton to set up an electronic bike network along the Iron Horse Trail.
Marianne Janke of Travel Lakeland Alberta also tried out the electronic bikes and says the electric bikes “make it possible to cycle and enjoy sections that are not normally conducive to cycling.” Janke is also the administrative coordinator at the Iron Horse Trail and knows the trail network well.
“[We are] hoping to work with the Community Futures offices to create a partnership between local businesses and young entrepreneurs along the trail to have a network of e-bike rentals,” stated Janke, adding that connecting trails will also increase the visiting experience.
Connecting trails, Janke added, is “great for getting visitors to explore museums, art walks, architecture tours, places to picnic... They can park their vehicles and immerse themselves in the community.”
Sallstrom says STEP will continue to look at other areas of tourism development in the region.
