“At the peak of National Tourism Week, we are reminded of the resilience of Alberta’s tourism operators, destination marketing organizations, and staff who connect travelers with life-changing experiences that leave them with an everlasting desire to explore all that Alberta has to offer. This hard work, coupled with world-renowned Albertan hospitality, is propelling Alberta’s tourism industry to become a driving force in the province's economy, putting it on track to reach new heights year after year.
“We are building upon the record year seen by our visitor economy in 2022, which resulted in $10.7 billion in visitor spending – up $600 million from 2019 levels. The most recent data from 2023 shows that we remain on the right track, especially when it comes to international tourism. In the first three quarters of 2023, international visitor spending has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, reaching $2.53 billion, compared to $2.28 billion in international visitor spending for all of 2019. This increase is also more than double the $1.24 billion in international spending that we saw in 2022.
“We’re committed to ensuring this growth is sustainable. Two months ago, we launched a new long-term tourism strategy that charts a path to further tourism growth. We have an ambitious goal of growing Alberta’s visitor economy to $25 billion in annual visitor spending by 2035. As we pursue this, we’re working to ensure communities across the province benefit from economic growth, diversification and job creation.
“National Tourism Week is one more opportunity for us to showcase our province to Canada and the rest of the world. It is an opportunity to share what Albertans already know: Alberta is the best place in the world to live, visit, and play. From downhill skiing in the majestic Rocky Mountains to horseback riding in the rolling prairies, unparalleled adventures await around every corner of the province, captivating the world.
“For those of us fortunate enough to call this province home, I encourage you to explore all the wonderful tourism experiences Alberta has to offer.”