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Tourists are returning to Regina for the Labour Day long weekend.
Tracy Fahlman, the CEO of the Regina Hotel Association, says the Queen City is staying busy thanks to a lot going on in the city.
“Labour Day weekend has always traditionally been one of our most popular weekends of the year,” Fahlman said on Friday’s Greg Morgan Morning Show. “This weekend, we’ve got the big game in town and at least a dozen weddings happening in the hotels.
“(It’s) incredibly busy. All of this occupancy is contributing to almost a soldout weekend. We’re really excited about the boost,” she added.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders play host to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Labour Day Classic on Sunday. The CFL game regularly attracts huge crowds, with some fans making the trip from Winnipeg.
According to Fahlman, 90 per cent of hotel rooms are booked for the Labour Day long weekend and it’s expected to contribute $500,000 to the local economy.
The economic boost for the city this Labour Day long weekend is just a taste for what will come Regina’s way when the Grey Cup returns to the city for the first time since 2013.
Fahlman says the city has sold out hotel rooms for Grey Cup weekend. The game is set for Nov. 20.
“Hotels are reporting a full sellout for Grey Cup. It’s going to be wonderful. We’re going to have thousands of visitors visiting Regina this November and it’s going to be so exciting to showcase everything our city has to offer,” she stated.
Regina should be better off this time around compared to the last time it hosted the Grey Cup. The last time the Grey Cup was here, fans complained there weren’t enough hotel rooms.
Now that more hotels have been built and websites like Airbnb have grown in popularity, there should be enough places for everyone to stay.
While hotels might be full, Fahlman suggests there are ways to attempt to find last-minute rooms.
“We always recommend you call the hotels directly and frequently,” she said. “Cancellations are incredibly common and not all hotel supply are posted online or on third-party booking sites. It’s the best advice we can provide at this time.”
The Grey Cup Festival is set for Nov. 17-20 in Regina.
