The Royal Tyrrell Museum took a moment on Friday, January 27, to reflect on possibly the best year it has ever had.
The museum has been a premier tourism draw since it opened in 1985.
In 2022 it set a record by welcoming 501,430 visitors. This is the first time since the museum began charging admission in 1991 it has surpassed half a million visitors in a calendar year.
Jason Martin, director of Operations and Finance, credits the staff for its part in reaching this impressive milestone.
“Each and every one of you who work at the museum or support the Royal Tyrrell Museum contribute to this tourism success. You bring unforgettable experiences to life through your work, which impact people in more ways than we can imagine. Think of the sense of awe as people drive down the hill into the valley or walk into Cretaceous Alberta and hear the dinosaur roar for the first time, you help facilitate these experiences,” he said.
He also recognizes the importance of the museum as part of the local economy.
“Tourism is an important economic driver in the Drumheller valley, providing unique experiences, captivating visitors with our breathtaking landscape, our one-of-a-kind attractions and the vast history of the Alberta Badlands,” he said.
He also reaches out to the museum’s partners, including Travel Drumheller, Travel Alberta, Alberta Parks, Town of Drumheller, the Royal Tyrrell Musem Cooperating Society, the Chamber of Commerce, Alberta Infrastructure, Best Pro Cleaning Services and Visionary Catering.
This is just one more milestone for the museum, which is approaching four decades in the valley, with another on the horizon.
“We are quickly approaching another milestone event as we expect to welcome the museum’s 15th million visitors sometime this March, a feat we could not have achieved without the continuous support of our partners,” said Martin.
