Visitor economy is key to provincial growth in Alberta

EDMONTON, March 8, 2019 /CNW/ - Today, tourism leaders from across Canada discussed the growth potential for Alberta's visitor economy.

2018 was a record-breaking year for tourist arrivals to Canada, bringing in more than 21.1 million travellers and $102.5 billion dollars nationally. In Alberta, the visitor economy contributes $8.5 billion to the province's GDP.

"Alberta hospitality and tourism entrepreneurs are making our province proud -- attracting visitors from across the country and around the globe," said Deron Bilous, Alberta Minister of Economic Development and Trade. "We want to help them continue to promote our world class tourist destinations and support them to create even more new jobs so Albertans can earn a good living for themselves and their families."

Over 120 tourism industry businesses and stakeholders discussed hot topics in tourism with federal, provincial, and municipal leaders. Speakers included those from Travel Alberta, Destination Canada, Tourism Edmonton, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC), the Government of Canada and the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC).

"This event highlighted not only the importance of tourism in Alberta, but the crucial role it plays across the country," said Travel Alberta CEO Royce Chwin. "We made sure that Alberta voices were heard on the federal level as we position our province as a destination of choice where people want to live, play, work and invest."

TIAC's 2019 Tourism Town Hall series is an event partnership between the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, Destination Canada and local industry partners. Tourism Town Halls have become a leading industry event and provide small and medium sized businesses, local partners and government officials an opportunity to connect and discuss barriers effecting business growth.

Tourism is a key economic driver and diversifier for Alberta. In 2016, visitors to Alberta contributed more than $8.5 billion to the province's economy, supporting 19,000 businesses and providing jobs for 127,000 Albertan communities across the province.

About Travel Alberta

Travel Alberta is the destination promotion organization for the Government of Alberta, showcasing Alberta's tourism experiences to potential travellers in Canada and internationally.

Established as a crown corporation in 2009, Travel Alberta is mandated to promote the province as a top tourism destination and support the Government of Alberta in the development of tourism policy, advocacy, research, visitor services and product development.

@TravelAlbertaCo 
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SOURCE Travel Alberta