Travel Manitoba opens revamped visitor centre at The Forks

Travel Manitoba's visitor centre at the Forks, closed since summer 2014, had its grand re-opening on Thursday.

The new centre, which was originally slated to reopen in spring 2015, features state-of-the-art technology to keep up with the changing way tourism is marketed to consumers, states a news release from the province.

The interactive displays will answer questions and help tailor a tourism experience to a visitor's specific interests or needs.

Some displays allow visitors to see different areas of the province in panoramic views that "give travellers a sample of the immersive experiences our province has to offer," said Colin Ferguson, president and CEO of Travel Manitoba.

"We believe the fully renovated building, the new interactive displays and the increased staff presence will all contribute to making this a must-see destination while visiting The Forks," added Paul Jordan, CEO of The Forks North Portage.

The centre has also been expanded enough to relocate all of Travel Manitoba's Winnipeg staff from an office on Carlton Street — a move expected to result in operational savings of more than $300,000 over 10 years.

Tourism is a $1.5-billion industry in Manitoba and expected to grow with the Canadian Museum for Human Rights gaining international attention, as well as new exhibits at Assiniboine Park, the recently-opened Upper Fort Garry Park, and major events such as the Grey Cup in November and the Canada Games in 2017 bringing more people into Winnipeg.

Manitoba is also recognized for its world-class catch-and-release fishing, Arctic safaris to view polar bears and beluga whales in Churchill and the arts and culture scene in Winnipeg, the provincial release states.