Sarah Mills: I'm hoping for a garden of abundance
Sarah Mills says she doesn't exactly have a green thumb, but with childhood memories of summer in Preeceville, she's hop...
Tourism Regina has a new idea to encourage people to visit the Queen City.
The organization is partnering with businesses and event organizers to launch a new promo card program. The card will work like a pre-paid credit card, to be used at participating Regina businesses. Tourism Regina will provide the cards to visitors as a “sustainable tourism initiative to help activate events,” according to the city.
Read more:
- Tourism groups helped bring estimated $135M in economic impact to Regina last year
- Tailgating return could ‘reignite’ Regina’s tourism and hospitality
- Pilot for free high school transit leads to boom in ridership, but not attendance
Mayor Chad Bachynski said the city is “buzzing with creativity, flavour and heart,” with local businesses at the centre.
“This promo card is more than a perk for visitors — it’s an invitation to dive into the incredible experiences that make our city unforgettable,” Bachynski said in a statement.
“From our vibrant shops, local cuisine and world-class attractions, Regina has so much to offer and we’re thrilled to showcase it in a way that directly supports the entrepreneurs and creators who make our community shine.”
Jennifer Johnson, deputy city manager for communications, Service Regina and tourism, echoed the mayor’s statements.
“I really like the idea that this is a sustainable tourism initiative (and that) It is something that won’t end up in the landfill,” Johnson said.
She added this will help the city in more ways than one.
“It drives business into our local businesses, restaurants, and attractions. The economic up stand on this will be really good, and I’m just thrilled that we can support local businesses in this way,” she said.
Johnson explained they will be able to track how much a person is spending.
“We’ll be able to see did they spend just the $10 or did they spend $27 and we’ll be able to evaluate how much impact we’re having on Regina’s economy with these.”
The money loaded onto the card is dependent on what local business or event you going to, Johnson said.
Ashley Pelechytik, the Hotel Saskatchewan’s director of sales and marketing, said the partnership with Tourism Regina is a “great way to encourage conference guests to extend their stays and experience more of the city.”
The card was introduced in collaboration with event organizers to boost visitor exploration and for those coming into the for a conference or sports tournament.
The promo card will offer benefits for both the Hotel Saskatchewan and the city’s visitor economy, Pelechytik said, with upcoming conferences happening in the city over the coming weeks.
“They’ve (Hotel Saskatchewan) got an email going out to visitors for a specific conference that if they book an extra night beyond the conference nights, they will get a Tourism Regina promo card, so the hotel is managing giving those out based on confirmed extra nights booked, so it’s different in each situation,” Johnson said.
She said the cards will be given in gift bags for the most part.
The promo cards were launched at an event at the Everyday Kitchen in Regina on May 29, 2026. (City of Regina/Submitted)
Mark Shmelinski, co-owner of the Everyday Kitchen, is another program participant. He said tourists from around the world visit his business every day.
“The Tourism Regina promo card has helped to draw new people in and encouraged them to support our business,” Shmelinski said.
“This initiative is designed to encourage visitors to explore the community and spend locally,” the city said in it’s news release. “Rather than Tourism Regina providing small gifts that may or may not be saved, visitors can use the promo cards to shop, dine and make memories how they choose.”
The cards will be distributed during events and to visitors when they arrive in Regina and can be redeemed at more than 60 participating local stores, restaurants, attractions and services. The set expiry date of 60 days on the cards encourages guests to redeem the card during their visit.
“We’re hoping that these (cards) help make their visit more memorable, and we’re hoping that it really supports local businesses,” said Johnson.
