On November 18, 2024, the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce proudly hosted Hon. Minister Joseph Schow, who discussed Alberta’s bold vision for tourism and sport with our business community. Attended by over 120 policymakers, business leaders, and industry experts, this event brought our community together to ensure tourism continues to play a leading role in Alberta’s economic future.
A $25 Billion Vision for Alberta Tourism
Minister Schow’s keynote address emphasized Alberta’s updated tourism target: $25 billion in visitor spending by 2035. This ambitious goal builds on the early success of the “Bootstrap Plan”, Alberta’s Three-Year Business plan to help jumpstart our tourism efforts post-pandemic. The Minister’s remarks underscored the government’s commitment to leveraging tourism as Alberta’s top service export and a cornerstone of its economic strategy.
Panel Insights: Policy and Progress
A panel discussion, moderated by Chamber CEO Doug Griffiths, brought together leading voices in tourism and sport. Key themes included:
- Strategic Access Improvements: Minister Schow highlighted efforts to expand transportation infrastructure and passenger-seat capacity to Alberta, ensuring greater connectivity for both domestic and international visitors.
- Building Thriving Destinations: Panelists discussed initiatives to support private sector investment, enhance priority tourism regions, and bolster Edmonton’s ability to attract major events, like international sporting tournaments cultural festivals, and all-season resorts.
- Indigenous Tourism Growth: The Minister and panel reinforced the importance of Indigenous-led tourism initiatives in creating sustainable opportunities for communities and showcasing Alberta’s rich cultural heritage.
Chamber Leadership in Action
As advocates for Edmonton’s economic success, the Chamber is proud to champion initiatives that strengthen our city’s position as a global tourism and sport destination. Events like these provide a platform for critical conversations, ensuring our members are at the forefront of policy and industry developments.
We thank Minister Schow, our esteemed panelists, and our event sponsors, WestJet and Explore Edmonton, for their contributions to this impactful discussion. Together, we’re building a stronger, more connected, and vibrant Edmonton.
For more on the Chamber’s advocacy efforts or sponsorship opportunities, visit edmontonchamber.com.
Have your say.
The Edmonton Chamber wants to hear from you. What are the top issues and priorities for your business this spring? Start the conversation by writing to policy@edmontonchamber.com