Gull Lake is centrally located in Southwest Saskatchewan and is an excellent place for travellers to stay while touring the region. Now, I understand that some will say that there aren't many reasons for tourists to visit Gull Lake during the summer. But we have not found this to be the case with our business, "Campbell's Accommodations," which relies on tourist/visitor stays. On the contrary, every year, travellers stop and stay at our accommodations while touring Southwest Saskatchewan. People also stay at Gull Lake when visiting family, attending functions, or working as temporary workers in neighbouring communities.

But when we first established Campbell's Accommodations, we only had a website and a Facebook page. That was a good beginning step, but it would never have been enough to attract the number of people that we see today. To boost our visibility, we listed on platforms such as Airbnb, Booking.com, and VRBO, as well as adding online bookings to our website. Campbell's Accommodations joined the Cypress Hills-Grasslands Destination Area this year. Tourism Saskatchewan recently approached us about advertising our business on their Business Hub, which we will do. While we are listed on other websites, these are venues where tourists and travellers look for accommodations.

In order to attract visitors from out of town, it takes more than opening shop and making a Facebook page for most establishments. You need to find places to advertise your business that are both strategic and affordable so that you are where tourists/visitors are looking for your type of business. The more locations people see your business, the more likely it is that they will stop at your location if they are passing near your community.

If your local business offers Accommodations, Attractions, Entertainment Venues, Food and Drink, or Shopping, I would recommend you consider listing your business on the Tourism Saskatchewan Hub, which is a free listing. I would also recommend that you consider joining the Cypress Hills-Grasslands Destination Area, which does an excellent job promoting tourism in Southwest Saskatchewan and its partners.

There are ample opportunities for hospitality businesses in Gull Lake to profit from the tourism industry. According to Southwest Saskatchewan's Tourism Saskatchewan Regional Profile for 2018-2019. 1.44 million Canadians visited Southwest Saskatchewan in 2019 and spent an estimated 208 million dollars. Every day, thousands of potential visitors pass through and by our town. They only need to know that we are here and open for business.

Blake Campbell

Campbell's Accommodations