Alberta’s tourism sector saw strong growth in 2025 despite a drop in national and international travel across Canada. According to the Alberta government, visitor spending in the province reached a record $15.2 billion, which marks a six per cent increase from 2024. This rise almost doubles the national average growth.
Data from Statistics Canada shows Alberta experienced a four per cent increase in international visitors in 2025, while Canada overall faced a five per cent decrease. The province also showed a five per cent growth in travellers from the United States, contrasting with a six per cent decline nationally. Alberta stood out as one of the few provinces recording gains in international arrivals.
Travel Alberta’s recent reports noted that visitor spending in 2024 totaled $14.4 billion, which was up 12 per cent from 2023. The tourism sector in Alberta supports over 86,000 full-time jobs and accounts for employment of more than ten per cent of the province’s workforce. The government highlighted a seven per cent rise in new tourism jobs.
Minister of Tourism and Sport Andrew Boitchenko credited the province’s tourism strategy for the positive results. He said investments in popular destinations, stronger partnerships, and expanded air access helped create jobs and boosted Alberta’s profile internationally.
Expanded air routes to countries such as Mexico, South Korea, and Japan contributed to the growth in international travel. Jon Mamela, chief commercial officer at Travel Alberta, pointed to strategic investments and new air connections as key drivers behind the increase in visitor numbers.
Darren Reader, president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Alberta, described Alberta’s visitor economy as one of the province’s fastest-growing exports. He urged a coordinated government approach to overcome regional bottlenecks and called for scaling up funding to push tourism spending beyond the current record toward the province’s $25 billion target.
A survey from Travel Alberta showed that 81 per cent of residents see tourism positively impacting Alberta’s economy, and two-thirds believe tourism is important to their local communities. These sentiments underline broad support for the sector’s continued expansion.
Overall, Alberta’s tourism industry demonstrated resilience and growth at a time when travel declined in other parts of Canada. The province aims to build on this momentum in the coming years by fostering investments and improving access for visitors worldwide.
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