Alberta brought in $11.5 billion in tourism revenue between January and September 2024, a 10 per cent jump over the same period the year before, as the province posted the fastest tourism sector growth in the country.
The pace of growth more than tripled the national average and more than doubled that of Ontario and British Columbia, according to provincial figures released Tuesday.
The latest numbers follow a record-setting 2023, when annual visitor expenditures hit $12.7 billion — up nearly 20 per cent from the previous high. About $3 billion of that total came from international visitors, also a record.
Tourism is Alberta’s top service export and supports more than 260,000 jobs across the province.
"Alberta’s tourism economy is booming! It’s growing at an unprecedented rate, and we’re not slowing down anytime soon," said Joseph Schow, minister of tourism and sport. "Alberta’s government will continue working to unleash the potential of the province’s tourism industry."
The province aims to grow annual visitor spending to $25 billion by 2035 under its long-term tourism strategy. Officials say that goal will be supported by continued investments in Budget 2025 and the recently passed All-Season Resorts Act, which enables year-round, sustainable development.
"Tourism is a powerful economic driver and continues to have tangible benefits for communities and Albertans throughout our province," said Jon Mamela, chief commercial officer at Travel Alberta. “There has never been a better time to invest in tourism in Alberta."
The update coincides with National Tourism Week, which runs till April 11.
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