The Qu'Appelle Valley is one of the most scenic landscapes in all of Saskatchewan. The region is home to many First Nations, and more than 3,500 residents; a population that can triple due to the influx of seasonal residents and visitors. A 45-minute drive from Regina, the natural beauty of the valley and the area's rich cultural history steadily attracts visitors to gather by its four lakes - the Calling Lakes.
Tourism is an important sector of the Qu'Appelle Valley regional economy. While the overall tourism industry was established decades ago, aboriginal tourism is at an early stage of development. While welcomed, increased tourism use can place pressure on the area's existing infrastructure, communities, and natural and scenic resources. These pressures, if not managed in an integrated manner, could threaten the very reasons that visitors are attracted to the region. For these reason, the File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal Council initiated The Qu'Appelle Valley Integrated Tourism Strategy (ITS) project with the support of The Calling Lakes Planning District Commission, the Town of Fort Qu'Appelle, and Tourism Saskatchewan, and retained the services of 02 Planning + Design. The Qu'Appelle Valley ITS project seeks to guide tourism development in the Qu'Appelle Valley Calling Lakes Region.
