Two councillors optimistic about potential Tourism Regina transfer

After it was announced that responsibility for Tourism Regina might change hands, at least two Regina city councillors think it could be a step in the right direction.

On Friday, the City of Regina announced that the Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) board of directors had submitted a request to city council to transfer responsibility of Tourism Regina back to the city.

Ward 1 Coun. Cheryl Stadnichuk said she felt positive when she heard the news.

“I think that bringing Tourism (Regina) back into the city will give us an opportunity to start fresh and find ways of creating civic pride in our city,” Stadnichuk said Friday afternoon.

According to a media release from the city, the request from REAL’s board of directors will be considered at next Wednesday’s council meeting. The release added that city administration also was recommending the city take control of the tourism organization.

“We will have to ask questions of administration about exactly how it will function, how many staff (and) who they will report to within the city, but I hope that they can be as creative and innovative as possible so that we can promote a city that has a lot of great things to offer,” Stadnichuk said.

If approved, Stadnichuk said she believes the move could address the idea of REAL being stretched too thin as well as concerns that stakeholders have raised about a potential conflict of interest stemming from Regina’s tourism board being operated by REAL.

“(The stakeholders) wanted to make sure that (Tourism Regina) was independent and promoting all of the events and activities in the city,” Stadnichuk said. “Through the city, it should be a more neutral place for tourism.”

REAL assumed control of Tourism Regina in 2022. Should council approve the request, the finalization of the transfer would be complete by Dec. 31.

In March, REAL came under fire for a controversial rebrand campaign which included slogans that were deemed sexist and inappropriate. In the aftermath, Mayor Sandra Masters called the campaign “tone deaf.”

A consultant was hired to look into what he eventually termed “The Incident.” His report suggested that REAL had a lot on its plate even before it took on the oversight of Tourism Regina and said the situation involving the rebrand was an organizational failure.

“I’m relieved that there has been a significant recommendation to finally come from the George Cuff report and all of the concerns that have been brought to light since the failed Experience Regina rebrand,” Ward 8 Coun. Shanon Zachidniak said Friday.

Zachidniak said it’s an important first step that Tourism Regina is transferred away from REAL’s jurisdiction.

“There is other work that needs to be done as well,” Zachidniak said. “There have been many concerns that have been brought to light as a result of this Experience Regina rebrand.”

Zachidniak highlighted certain sections of Wednesday’s agenda packet that were of interest to her in addition to details about the change in Tourism Regina’s governance and operation.

“(Those include) the meetings that have occurred with entities such as the (Status of Women Office), Regina and Area Sexual Assault Centre and Raise Her Co., and the training that will be occurring with all members of their organization,” Zachidniak said.

“Those were unanswered questions as part of the Cuff review. The points in relation to sexual violence and cultural awareness training are vitally important and I look forward to receiving more information about those components and the policy review.”