Winnipeg is growing slowly. As a result, Winnipeggers suffer from entirely unwarranted feelings of inferiority, and these feelings are displayed in the way the city promotes itself as a tourist destination, argues a new report.
Winnipeg: A City That Doesn't Apologize For Itself investigates existing tourist promotions and concludes that they are less effective than they could be.
The report was prepared for the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives-Manitoba by a team led by Christopher Leo, Professor of Political Science at the University of Winnipeg, Adjunct Professor of City Planning, University of Manitoba, and Research Associate, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives-Manitoba.
His co-authors are: Maureen Bundgaard, Director, Marketing and Research, Nunavut Tourism, Iqualuit; Jennifer Fultz, Honours student, University of Winnipeg; David Burley, Professor and Chair of the Department of History, University of Winnipeg; Willi Kurtz, owner of Humboldt's Legacy, North America's oldest ecological department store; Grace Stein, Special Projects Coordinator of the West Region Economic Development Corporation and acting Manager of the Manitoba Aboriginal Tourism Association; and Harry Strub, Professor of Psychology, University of Winnipeg and Executive Director, Virtuosi Concerts Inc.
The report considers alternative methods of promoting Winnipeg as a tourist location, which begin with a focus on things that are unique, interesting, or excellent about Winnipeg and Manitoba. The report, which includes an executive summary, will be released:
Media Conference:
Date: Monday, March 19
Time: 11:30 am
Locations: Borealis Books (486 Main Street)