About - Cochrane Tourism

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OUR PLEDGE:

COMMUNITY-FOCUSED TOURISM PLACEMAKING

As we invite more value-aligned guests to this area, our role as the destination management organization is to be stewards for the community, environment, culture, and economy. We pledge to support the creation of memorable experiences and engage in placemaking while telling the stories of our unique identity and local characters.

OUR MISSION

Champion the development of a community-focused tourism ecosystem through innovation, collaboration, and creative marketing while acting as stewards for our residents, land, visitors, and economy.

COCHRANE TOURISM ASSOCIATION

OUR TEAM

The Cochrane Tourism Association works hard to ensure we support local! We have a fantastic team of talented individuals right here in our own backyard who help bring our vision to life each and every day!

Take a moment to get acquainted with the hard-working people who embody the feeling of living in our amazing community!

Callandra Caufield

Executive Director Cochrane Tourism Association

Callandra has over 25 years of experience in the tourism industry and holds a Bachelor of Tourism Management from Thompson River University. She will begin working on a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies –…

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

And here is the team of amazing folks that help us to keep bringing wonderful tourism experiences to our community.

Chris Heier President

Julia Lutchman Secretary

Dylan Bakker Vice President

Sean Horvath Treasurer

Valerie McCracken Director

Alannah Gamblin-Jensen Director

Chris Hartman Director

Jennifer Wanner Director

Sebastien Leskow Director

Recruiting Position Director

Community Centred Tourism

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VISITOR ECONOMY

WHAT IS THE VISITOR ECONOMY?

The visitor economy can crack the code for sustainable growth in Cochrane…

As locals, we want Cochrane to thrive, without the expense of our town’s coveted quietude. The visitor economy can help make this happen. When visitors spend money at our favourite local hotels, restaurants, attractions, and shops, the whole community profits through Cochrane’s visitor economy.

Visitors to Cochrane are much more than passers-by. They’re a vital part of our economy. When visitors spend money at our local shops, restaurants, and attractions, their dollars have a far-reaching impact beyond those tourism businesses alone.

MULTIPLIER EFFECT

HOW THE MULTIPLIER EFFECT CREATES A PROSPEROUS ECONOMY

Consider your favourite local ice cream shop. When lineups of out-of-towners wind around the block on hot summer days, revenue flows into the business and through the community. Here’s how it works:

Step 1

Visitor buys a triple-scoop cone

Step 2

Store owner replenishes supplies, injecting cash into the local economy

Step 3

Store owner hires local service providers like an accountant and lawyer

Step 4

Accountant and lawyer spend profits in town, further contributing to economic growth

In 2019, visitors contributed $6.5 billion to Alberta’s gross domestic product (GDP), the primary indicator for a healthy economy. Tourism in Alberta created 68,000 jobs in 2019 and directly contributed $3.9 billion to our provincial economy.

UNLOCK

UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF TOURISM

Attracting visitors to Cochrane gives our town the opportunity to generate revenue without the growth that comes with residential development. This is why tourism is central to a sustainable future.

When businesses in sectors directly impacted by tourism – like our local ice cream shop – buy supplies and pay for utilities, they’re funneling another $1.5 billion into indirectly affected sectors. The employees who scoop your favourite flavours use their earnings to shop local, too, and each sector benefits from the others.

A healthy visitor economy can:

Strengthen our local businesses and entire social fabric
Boost civic pride and wellbeing through local culture and heritage activities
Help keep our town a beautiful place to live, work, and play

NEWSLETTER

ABOUT US