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By Justine Kelsie

GPRTA new ED settling in

Jun 15, 2018 | 6:26 AM

The new Grande Prairie Regional Tourism Association (GPRTA) Executive Director is putting his travelling spirit to work.

James Leppan started in his new position last month and was hired for the job based on what he calls his “tourist’s eye”.

“I said I can actually make a difference in that industry which I have a little bit of a fire in my belly for. It made sense. Part of what I have done is always promoting, marketing, and branding. Imagine promoting your area and part of what is educating. All of these things I am really interested in doing,” said Leppan.

Two years ago, Leppan became a Canadian citizen as he was born in Harare, Zimbabwe. He has experience in photography, videography, and promoting on Princess Cruises and has been to all seven continents. While he was in the process of obtaining his citizenship in Canada, Leppan continued to travel the western part of Canada, driving from Grande Prairie to Vancouver numerous times.

As he continues to settle into the position, he continues to learn new things.

In his short time with the association, he has already been a part of a Travel Alberta Conference and an Annual General Meeting for the GPRTA board. Two new people have joined including Susan Hunter, Executive Director for the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum and Sandi Neville with Podollan Inn & Spa. Johnathan Clarkson is back as the President of the board for another year.

For him, it has been a lot of learning on the go.

“Lots of meeting and meeting parties involved. We have new people walking in everyday to the Visitor’s Centre. A lot of that is explaining what we do.”

Mobile tourism booths will become more common at events throughout the summer with “travel counselling” available. He says “staycations” are becoming more popular with the rising gas prices and those are becoming more of a focus.

Seeking and diversifying funding continues to be a goal for the Tourism Association. 

by Justine Kelsie