2025-2030 Tourism Strategy: Rooted in Charm, Built for Impact

The Town of Okotoks has developed a new 5-year Tourism Strategy to guide tourism management and responsible growth in the years ahead.

The strategy focuses on smart, creative ways to strengthen the local economy, support small businesses and showcase everything that makes Okotoks a great place to live and visit. As a key priority in the Town’s Economic Development Strategic Plan, tourism development will help create jobs, attract visitors and highlight the community’s unique character.

The goal is to grow the visitor economy while preserving Okotoks’ small-town charm, foster community pride and shape a future that benefits residents and visitors alike. By building on our strengths and incorporating fresh ideas from the community, this strategy sets the stage for responsible tourism that reflects the true spirit of Okotoks.

To learn more, click the button below to review the 2025-2030 Tourism Strategy.

2025-2030 Tourism Strategy open in new window

Project Background

Phase 1: Current State of Tourism Analysis

Phase 1 of the project was a detailed review of tourism in Okotoks. The Current State of Tourism report pointed to many local highlights such as our walkable downtown, beautiful parks, popular events and growing sports and culinary scenes. It also revealed exciting opportunities, including:

  • Improving visitor amenities and public spaces, especially downtown
  • Creating unique tourism experiences throughout Okotoks—think food tours, festivals, outdoor adventures and sports events
  • Encouraging more collaboration between businesses and local organizations

Phase 2: Community Engagement

This past spring, the Town conducted community engagement to help inform the Tourism Strategy in the following ways.

  • Pop-up events at the Recreation Centre and Seniors Centre
  • One-on-one interviews with local business owners
  • Facilitated roundtable discussions with business owners, tourism operators, event organizers, culinary entrepreneurs and sports tourism stakeholders
  • Business survey
  • Community member questionnaire

Key Engagement Findings:

Key engagement findings included:

  • preserve small-town identity
  • expand year-round offerings
  • enhance the visitor experience
  • ensure inclusive, community-led initiatives
  • clarify leadership & coordination

More details on what we learned are available in the Tourism Strategy document.