CALGARY — Travel Alberta marked World Tourism Day yesterday by highlighting the economic value of tourism for Alberta and the work being done with tourism partners in every corner of the province to re-build the industry, support community recovery and spur job creation.
“As Alberta moves forward, we’re focusing on our province’s economic strengths and opportunities to get Albertans back to work,” says Doug Schweitzer, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation. “Alberta’s tourism industry is an important part of Alberta’s Recovery Plan and will play a central role in the province’s economic success.”
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Alberta’s tourism industry generated $8.9 billion in revenue, supporting 22,000 businesses and generating nearly 73,000 jobs in communities throughout the province. Today, traveller spending to Alberta is forecast to fall to $3.5 billion in 2020 — a 63-per-cent drop compared to 2019 — and an estimated 30,000 jobs lost.
“The pandemic is the travel sector’s worst crisis of the modern era. But in trademark fashion, Alberta tourism organizations and businesses are meeting the challenge head-on, with resilience and resolve,” says Chris Heseltine, acting CEO, Travel Alberta.
