The week will be a time to champion Saskatchewan's tourism industry. There is optimism as total visitor expenditures and tourism-related employment numbers have seen increases.  In 2020, Saskatchewan had 1.50 billion dollars in visitor spending and there were 50,000 people employed in tourism-related jobs that year. Tourism expenditures grew to 1.74 billion dollars in 2021, with 57,200 people employed in the tourism industry. Another encouraging statistic included hotel occupancy rates that rose from 32 per cent in 2020 to 41 per cent in 2021.

Tourism Saskatchewan will also launch the #ExploreSask Challenge to encourage residents to support local, plan road trips and staycations in the province.  With the grand prize of a Grey Cup Festival Prize Package and monthly vacation prize draws the challenge will run throughout the Saskatchewan Roughrider football season until October 15. Earn draw ballots by checking in at 40 locations across the province this summer. Sign up today for the #ExploreSask Challenge mobile passport at tourismsaskatchewan.com.