Although Saskatchewan sunsets are free, the tourism industry is worth about $1.7 billion to the provincial economy. Although Saskatchewan sunsets are free, the tourism industry is worth about $1.7 billion to the provincial economy. (Courtesy Zac Adams)

As Saskatchewan swings into tourism season, there's some good news and bad news for the industry, the Conference Board of Canada says.

The good news is that the province is expected to see increased visits from Alberta, according to the Ottawa-based think tank's latest Travel Markets Outlook.

The bad news is that arrivals from Europe are expected to decline somewhat because of the debt crisis in Greece and other countries, the Conference Board said.

Canada-wide, overnight stays are forecast to rise by a modest 1.8 per cent.

According to Tourism Saskatchewan, the industry employs about 58,000 people in the province.

Tourism contributed about $1.7 billion to the economy in the 2010-11 fiscal year, according to the agency.