The Tourism Industry Association of Alberta is pleased to share with you the newly released Alberta Tourism Industry Workforce Housing Strategy, a comprehensive report developed by the Tourism Industry Association of Alberta (TIAA). 

 

This report addresses one of the most pressing challenges facing our sector: workforce housing. With the province’s ambitious goal to increase visitor spending to $25 billion by 2035, ensuring that our workforce has access to affordable housing is crucial to sustaining and growing Alberta’s tourism industry.

 

The report outlines key issues and strategic recommendations to overcome housing challenges in both established tourism communities and urban centres. It emphasizes the need for coordinated efforts among industry, government, and municipalities to develop sustainable housing solutions that support the attraction and retention of the 100,000 additional employees required by 2035.

 

Below is a summary of the key points and recommendations from the strategy.

​

Alberta Tourism Industry Workforce Housing Strategy: 

​

1. Tourism Industry Growth and Housing Affordability:

   • Alberta’s tourism industry is expected to require an additional 100,000 employees by 2035 to meet the $25 billion target in visitor spending.

   • Housing affordability remains a critical barrier, particularly in tourism-based communities like Banff, Jasper, and Canmore, where the cost of living is disproportionately high compared to wages in the tourism sector.

      

2. Workforce Housing Challenges:

   • The seasonal nature of the industry, high demand for short-term rentals, and limited supply of entry-level housing exacerbate the affordability crisis.

   • In urban centres like Calgary and Edmonton, tourism employees face tight housing markets without the same level of employer-provided accommodations available in resort communities.

      

3. Jasper Housing Recovery Strategy:

   • Following the devastating wildfires, rebuilding Jasper’s workforce housing is imperative for the recovery of the town’s tourism economy. TIAA advocates for a comprehensive strategy involving all levels of government and industry stakeholders to restore and enhance housing availability in the region.

      

4. Recommendations:

   • Develop a province-wide tourism industry workforce housing strategy in collaboration with the Alberta government, municipalities, and industry leaders.

   • Adjust the board and lodging employee deduction limitations to reflect market prices and remove disincentives for employers to invest in employee housing.

   • Partner with municipalities to explore housing cooperatives, trusts, and other mechanisms to provide affordable housing for tourism employees.

   • Establish a policy framework for short-term rentals to ensure fair competition with traditional hotels.

   • Incorporate workforce planning and housing considerations into Travel Alberta’s tourism development zone strategies.

      

As members of TIAA, your continued support and involvement are vital as we work together to address these challenges and implement solutions that will ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of Alberta’s tourism industry.

 

Thank you for your commitment to our industry. We look forward to your feedback and continued collaboration as we move forward with this critical initiative.