TOURISM AWARENESS WEEK SHOWCASING PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES

Saskatchewan's dynamic and expanding tourism industry will be showcased during Tourism Awareness Week, starting today and continuing until Saturday, June 9, 2007.

Tourism Awareness Week is designed to showcase Saskatchewan tourism products, attractions and resources, raise awareness about the importance of tourism, and encourage appreciation of the people and communities that drive the industry.

"It's important to recognize just what our tourism industry does to help make our province what it is," Minister responsible for Tourism Sandra Morin said. "It combines our Saskatchewan hospitality and culture with our unique natural assets to create something with enormous economic and social impact, enjoyed by millions of people each year."

The most current statistics for Saskatchewan's tourism industry show revenue of over $1.5 billion annually, 55,000 Saskatchewan citizens (one in nine workers) employed in tourism or tourism-related jobs, and over 4,300 distinct tourism products and events in the province.

Among the activities planned for Tourism Awareness Week are a provincial campaign to generate awareness of the industry; a series of on-air Saskatchewan trivia contests hosted by participating radio stations; and various events co-ordinated by regional tourism staff across the province.

To learn more about Saskatchewan's tourism industry, and for more details about the week's events, visit Tourism Saskatchewan's special Tourism Awareness Week website, www.sktourismweek.com.

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For more information, contact:

Jamie Shanks
Industry and Resources
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1691
Email: jshanks@ir.gov.sk.ca