Thursday, September 25th, 2008
8:00-10:00 am – Pancake Breakfast / 9:00-9:15 am – Program

New Look, New Vision for Gateway Park

There was a time when the first stop for tourists to a new city was the local visitor information centre. But with the popularity of GPS (Global Positioning System) as well as information readily accessible on the internet, tourists can now get their questions about directions or accommodations answered elsewhere. Does that mean a slow death for this tradition means of serving tourists? Quite the contrary for Edmonton’s Gateway Park Visitor Information Centre. Change is revitalizing the vision for the centre with a new model for success.

A physical location destination has one major advantage over technology on its own … face-to-face contact and the kinds of services you can only get by going there. The new business strategy of Gateway celebrates that advantage. It’s being completely revamped, and not just with new carpeting and a fresh coat of paint. On the renovation list are wheelchair accessibility and larger washrooms that feature a new Festival City wall celebrating our vibrant summer events. The service counter is lower and more user-friendly with a consulting area for personalized service. And the merchandizing is also new. The Gateway Park store is gearing up to be the Edmonton souvenir shop, with unique gift ideas that will drive even locals to shop there.

Last but not least, Gateway embraces the advantages of technology with personalized service. A new online booking system is enhanced by partnerships with local businesses. So if a tourist wants advice on which hotels, attractions or restaurants meet their particular needs, wants or tastes, this where they go for one-stop-shop information.

The idea is to stimulate economic dividends by encouraging regional visitors to stay longer.

“With the introduction of the new online booking system, our staff will have a direct impact on influencing our visitors and their stay here,” says Ken Fiske, Edmonton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC) Vice-President of Economic Development and Tourism. “Working with our industry partners ensures ease in identifying opportunities to sell Edmonton as a tourist destination more effectively.”

Gateway Park Visitor Information Centre (VIC) is already a success story. Managed by Edmonton Tourism and owned by the City of Edmonton, it is the busiest VIC in Alberta, serving more than 2 million visitors since opening 21 years ago. It was also voted “favourite visitor information centre in Alberta” for 2007 and 2008 by the popular VR West Magazine’s Readers Choice Awards.

Gateway Park has played a vital role in promoting Greater Edmonton’s $1.2 billion tourism industry. These significant changes ensure it continues to do so.

Media Contact:
Lesley MacDonald, Director, Media Relations
TEL 780-969-0463 / CELL 780-884-7972
EMAIL lmacdonald@edmonton.com