News
Research, Reports and Studies
A Call to Action: Recommendations to Accelerate the Recovery, Sustainable Growth and Resilience of Alberta's Visitor Economy
(June 30, 2020) The report, which was developed under the guidance of eight senior tourism sector leaders and informed through the input of over 20 sector associations, is the most comprehensive, industry-led effort to-date to assist the government in its understanding of the opportunities (and challenges) facing the whole of the visitor economy. The actions that the industry is asking the government to take – and which have all the greater context following the release of yesterday’s Alberta Recovery Plan – provide a policy roadmap to quickly advance the recovery and expansion of the visitor economy. The report is organized into eight focus areas, with each of the 40 priority policy recommendations organized by implementation timeframe and by ministry(s) responsible.
Read the Call to Action Report
Alberta's Recovery Plan
(June 29, 2020) Alberta's Recovery Plan focuses on building infrastructure, diversifying the economy and getting Albertans back to work. Read the Recovery Plan
Opening Soon: Alberta's Relaunch Strategy
(April 30, 2020) Premier Kenney today unveiled the province's strategy to recover from the COVID-19 crisis, outlining the conditions for a sequenced reopening of the economy in three stages. Read the Relaunch Strategy
Destination Next: Futures Study 2019 A Strategic Road Map for the Next Generation of Global Destination Organizations
Destination organizations today are collaborating more closely with their local communities to define a shared vision for the future that provides long-term benefits for both key stakeholders and residents. There is also a much greater emphasis on community-driven destination development that aligns around the three integrated pillars of economic, social and environmental sustainability to drive competitive advantage in today’s global visitor economy. Continue Reading
Creating Middle Class Jobs: A Federal Tourism Growth Strategy
The new federal tourism growth strategy aims to capitalize on the tourism industry’s success by helping to create more opportunities for year-round, sustainable economic development in Canadian communities. The potential for tourism is greater than ever with Tourism now having become the seventh economic strategy table for the government: an approach that summons the attention of all government departments that are impacted by the industry. Continue Reading
Unlocking the Potential of Canada’s Visitor Economy
In its February 2017 report, the federal Minister of Finance’s Advisory Council on Economic Growth identified tourism as one of eight key sectors where “Canada has a strong endowment, untapped potential, and significant global growth potential.” The Council recommended that government and businesses take a targeted, collaborative approach to building each of these sectors. Given the outsized importance of tourism to Canada, and the substantial growth opportunity of the sector, this report is intended to stimulate discussion about the structure, performance and potential of the sector, and introduce possible avenues to grow Canada’s visitor economy. Continue Reading
Media
POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS RELEASED
TIAA Recommendations to Premier Kenney Regarding COVID-19 Crisis
March 23, 2020 (Calgary, Alberta)
TIAA wishes to articulate a few areas where we have observed gaps in the stimulus package measures announced by the federal government and where we believe the Govenrment of Alberta could assist in support of Albertans. View Letter
MEDIA RELEASE
Budget 2020/21 Comes Up Short in Demonstrating a Clear Commitment to Grow Tourism
February 27, 2020 (Calgary, Alberta)
As part of its election platform, the United Conservative Party (UCP) laid-out an audacious goal to grow Alberta’s tourism industry to a $20B sector by the year 2030. So, when over 400 tourism industry representatives gathered last month in Edmonton and Calgary (at the government's invitation) to help provide guidance on the development of a strategy to support this goal, there was a palpable sense of energy among tourism industry professionals Continue Reading