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By rdnewsNOW Staff

NATIONAL TOURISM WEEK

Alberta continues to celebrate “unprecedented” tourism growth

Apr 9, 2025 | 5:05 PM

According to the provincial government, data from the first three quarters of 2024 shows Alberta’s tourism industry revenues have grown 10 per cent year-over-year, putting it on the path to a second record-breaking year for annual visitor spending.

In 2023, Alberta’s annual visitor expenditures reached $12.7 billion, surpassing the previous record by 20 per cent, provincial officials say.

The available data for 2024 (January to September) shows Alberta advancing this metric at a rate more than three times the national average. From January to September last year, tourism revenues reached $11.5 billion, compared with $10.5 million for the same period in 2023.

“Alberta’s tourism economy is booming! It’s growing at an unprecedented rate, and we’re not slowing down anytime soon,” commented Joseph Schow, Minister of Tourism and Sport. “Alberta’s government will continue working to unleash the potential of the province’s tourism industry, and the incredible tourism operators across the province will continue to show the world what we Albertans already know: Alberta is the best place in the world to live, play and visit.”

The government says its long term provincial tourism strategy intends to grow Alberta’s visitor economy from $10 billion in annual visitor expenditures to $25 billion by 2035, and that it is well on the way to achieving this goal.

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“Tourism is a powerful economic driver and continues to have tangible benefits for communities and Albertans throughout our province. There has never been a better time to invest in tourism in Alberta, as the industry drives export revenues, fuels job creation, strengthens local businesses and showcases the province’s incredible natural and cultural assets to the world,” said Jon Mamela, chief commercial officer for Travel Alberta.

April 7-11 marks National Tourism Week, an opportunity to learn about the benefits of tourism for Alberta communities in supporting economic growth and jobs throughout the province.

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