The subject of Portage's Tourism was presented at the RM of Portage la Prairie council meeting this week.

Economic development coordinator Kellie Verwey and committee member Cindy McDonald shares their progress.

Cindy McDonald and Kellie Verwey"We presented the new strategic plan that the Portage Regional Tourism Committee has put together that focuses on the growth of tourism within our region over the next five years," says Verwey. "Our committee is really focusing on taking a regional approach rather than just the city or just the RM. We're trying to combine the two and really go at it as a collective. So, we want to make sure that everyone is aware of what we're doing, how it's benefiting the entire region, presenting that to Council will allow us to, hopefully, gain some support from them, and just have them recognize what's going on."

Verwey says she's excited to highlight their strategic plan. She notes they will also be able to get support from the general public and make them aware that they're here to promote our region.

McDonald adds Verwey and the committee have done a remarkable job to see tourism come to life again.

"We have so much to offer, so we just need to get people that live here on board and we have to get the word out there," says McDonald. "And I just think it's timely. Back when Vern May was at PRED a couple of years ago, he had started the Tourism committee. When he left, it kind of fell off the radar. So, when Eve was hired at PRED, she was looking through all the different things that were part of her portfolio and that was one of them. She decided to bring it back. She's really put the committee structure together and we've done this strategic plan, and we've brought in different stakeholders that really represent the area."

She notes the Delta Beach Association is on their committee, for instance. McDonald says the presence of these kinds of stakeholders makes such a difference.