Calgarians are exceptionally proud to call our city home – our friendliness, Chinooks, river pathways, and strong sense of community have created a truly remarkable place. But Calgary is not just loved by its residents, it’s also a tourist destination for people across the world. With unbeatable proximity to the mountains, the greatest outdoor show on earth, and outdoor festivals year-round, Calgary attracts 7.7 million people from around the world each year.
In an ordinary year, tourism employs one in ten Calgarians, is the foundation of 20,000 businesses in Alberta, and supports Calgary’s economy to the tune of $2 billion. However, as we know, tourism has been one of the industries hardest-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic – and there’s a long road ahead before the sector sees a full recovery.
After seeing declines in everything from hotel occupancy rates to food and beverage purchases over the past year, Calgary’s tourism sector has a unique opportunity to reimagine its future, leveraging our strong history as a destination while rethinking the possibilities that lie ahead for the sector.
Join us on April 21, 2021, when the Calgary Chamber will convene a virtual conversation with leaders in Calgary’s tourism sector to discuss the recovery and long-term potential of the industry. In advance of the conversation, we’ve outlined some key highlights about the industry so you can join the conversation to dive even deeper into the trends shaping the future of the tourism industry.
With Calgary as a gateway destination to the Rocky Mountains, the sector comprises a critical part of our economy, supporting hotels, restaurants and cafes, sport and recreation, and arts and culture businesses across the City. Despite a challenging year, during which tourism has ground to halt, much of the City’s tourism infrastructure remains in place and will continue to be fundamental to the Calgary’s long-term success.
Calgary and Alberta’s tourism sector, including hotels, restaurants and cafes, sport and recreation, and arts and culture, are all focused on welcoming people and ensuring we are a destination of choice. However, each of these have seen major challenges this past year – an indication of the hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bright lights at the end of the runway: the future of the industry
With the past year shaking the industry to its core, the tourism sector has the opportunity to reimagine its future. With rapid change affecting every part of the economy, we outline some of the key trends that industry experts close to home and around the world were focussed on before the pandemic, and how tourism might change after too.
Experts in Calgary and elsewhere over the last few years have focused on key trends in the sector:
