From full-service spas nestled in the Rockies, to immersive nature retreats that share Indigenous traditions and knowledge, Alberta is a world-class getaway for visitors looking to relax and recharge. With visitors spending a record-breaking $14 billion in the province last year and a wave of new world-class projects underway, Alberta is becoming Canada’s leading wellness tourism destination.
Alberta’s government is supporting this growing sector through Travel Alberta’s destination marketing, investment attraction and investor concierge services. Travel Alberta plays a key role in attracting investment and expanding the province’s tourism offerings, which is why Alberta’s government has invested $72 million this year alone to support Travel Alberta’s operations. Investments like these create jobs and new economic opportunities, ensuring Alberta continues to be the best place to live, work, visit and play.
“There’s no better time than now to experience Alberta. Our investments in wellness tourism go beyond simply building spas and retreats, they are creating long-term economic opportunities and prosperity for communities across Alberta.”
Over the next few years, several new spas and wellness accommodations will be opening across the province, creating hundreds of new full-time jobs, from hospitality and wellness practitioners to construction and tourism services. This includes Edmonton’s Scandinave Spa, which is expected to support 330 temporary jobs and 52 permanent full-time jobs, generating about $121 million in total economic impact over its first 10 years.
Canmore will see three new projects, including the Alexander Spa Hotel, which will create more than 100 full-time jobs for the community and feature world-class accommodations, spa and wellness facilities and activities such as yoga and guided hikes. These new tourism products will not only help Alberta reach its goal of $25 billion in annual visitor spending by 2035, but will also bring prosperity to communities across the province by supporting small businesses, creating jobs, and encouraging further investments.
“These major additions in the wellness tourism space are a signal to the world that Alberta is serious about tourism development. As one of the fastest-growing jurisdictions for tourism spending in the country, tourism is well on its way to becoming a top economic driver for the province. These incredible new offerings will continue to set us apart and encourage more travellers to choose Alberta, spend more, stay longer and travel year-round.”
Indigenous tourism operators are playing a pivotal role in this growth by offering unique, land-based wellness experiences rooted in traditional knowledge. Ninety minutes west of Edmonton, The Woods Experience offers cabin and tipi stays alongside a wilderness spa. Travel Alberta has invested in the expansion of a Métis trapline experience and the wilderness spa, featuring amenities like a wood-fired hot tub, sauna, cold plunge, and fire lounge area with panoramic forest views, enhancing visitor appeal and creating meaningful employment.
“Scandinave Spa offers more than relaxation. It is an invitation to unplug, slow down and reconnect with what really matters: being in the moment. Bringing Scandinave Spa to Edmonton is a natural fit with our vision to create unforgettable wellness experiences in iconic destinations. We’re proud to be part of Alberta’s tourism future and to offer Edmontonians a unique way to unwind, year-round.”
“Alberta is abundant in natural beauty, and our Wilderness Nordic Spa allows guests to experience that beauty in an intimate, raw and natural setting. Guests have the opportunity to unwind in the heart of the forest, to disconnect at their own pace and truly have an authentic, private experience surrounded by Mother Earth.”
Quick facts
Alberta will see several new wellness spas and accommodations opening in the next few years:
- Basin Glacial Waters Spa at the Chateau Lake Louise, opening September 2025
- Basecamp Wildwood Spa in Canmore, opening November 2025
- Alexander Spa Hotel, coming to Canmore in 2027
- Scandinave Spa, opening in Edmonton in 2028
Related information
- Statista – Wellness industry – statistics and facts
- Wellness tourism thrives in Alberta | Travel Alberta
- Sneak peek at the new Alexander Spa Hotel | Travel Alberta
- Edmonton chosen as province’s first Scandinave spa location | Travel Alberta