The Auditor General of Manitoba has issued a new report that questions the systems and practices in place at Travel Manitoba to achieve its goals and objectives.

Auditor General Norm Ricard found that while goals and objectives were in place they did not consider some risks that could affect tourism.

Ricard used Churchill as an example. The northern community is one of the main drivers of tourism in the province but Travel Manitoba’s business plan considers climate change as a low risk to tourism.

“The loss of the polar bear’s environment due to climate change would have a significant impact on tourism,” Ricard said.

The Auditor General said that Travel Manitoba’s tourism plans and strategies do not have implementation plans with clear steps, milestones and required resources set out.

“Travel Manitoba has developed a number of plans and strategies to support and grow this sector. It now needs to focus on implementing these plans and strategies, and reporting on the results,” said Ricard.

The report entitled Management of Provincial Tourism was released on Thursday, January 23, 2020, and has four recommendations.

Recommendation 1: Travel Manitoba conduct a risk assessment for all tourism strategies, including short, medium and long-term risks, and identify measures to mitigate significant risks.

Recommendation 2: Travel Manitoba identify: existing resources, the funding required and its sources; staff requirements; and which other stakeholders are required to support the initiatives identified by the strategies

Recommendation 3: Travel Manitoba issue separate progress reports on the strategies, which would include what other parties involved in implementing the initiatives have achieved.

Recommendation 4: Travel Manitoba ensure that monitoring and reporting information is easily locatable and publicly accessible.

© News4.ca 2020