Good news in local tourism

Tourism Moose Jaw unexpectedly received more visitors this July compared to the same 31-day period in 2008.
"I'm very, very pleased," said Tourism Moose Jaw executive director Candis Kirkpatrick. Last month's 5.17 per cent visitor increase from the previous July means the tourism centre, in spite of the recession, continues to welcome more visitors to Moose Jaw.
As of July 31, 14,577 people visited Tourism Moose Jaw in 2009, with 7,735 of those visitors coming in the month of July alone.
Kirkpatrick said she is finding a lot more tourists (this year) are coming from Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba, as opposed to elsewhere.
Also, where those living in the general area might typically visit Moose Jaw for the day, Kirkpatrick said more of those travellers are staying overnight in the Friendly City this year.
Jeff Grajczyk, Tunnels of Moose Jaw general manager, said his business has increased 12 per cent this July, compared to July 2008.
"It's been remarkably good - in spite of the so-called recession," he said.
Grajczyk said global economic turmoil does seem to impact the type of people who visit the tunnels though. As with Tourism Moose Jaw, he said the Tunnels of Moose Jaw caters to a lot more local visitors.
"Tourism has been good, partly due to people taking 'staycations.'"
The Tunnels of Moose Jaw attraction employs about 40 people during the summer and Grajczyk said he remains optimistic those staff members will have plenty of clientele to work with before the busy season ends Labour Day Weekend.