Alberta is aiming to more than double the size of its visitor economy by 2035.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on Valentine’s Day presented a new long-term tourism strategy to help Alberta’s visitor economy reach $25 billion per year by 2035. The province saw a record $10.7 billion in tourism spending, an increase of $600 million from 2019.
“We’re going to do this by prioritizing sustainable and responsible development, such as all-season resorts, which will give Alberta tourism operators even more of a competitive edge,” Smith said at a press event in Jasper.
The St. Albert Gazette said one of the pillars of the plan is to “develop new competitive products that offer all-season experiences and fresh opportunities for tourists.”
Officials said they will continue to work with airlines to expand access, and the government would focus on developing Indigenous tourism.
While the government has announced plans to focus on both popular and under-discovered destinations, the question of accommodation for new tourism workers remains unanswered,” said BNN. “The absence of new funding initiatives to address this issue is a cause for concern.”
The Calgary Peace Bridge. JIM BYERS PHOTO
PORTER BEGINS OTTAWA-CALGARY ROUTE; TORONTO-SASKATOON STARTS IN MAY
Porter Airlines on Wednesday began flying directly between Ottawa and Calgary, providing another valuable east-west link for Canadians.
The daily flights will take place on Porter’s new Embraer jets, which feature no middle seats, free Wi-Fi and free beer or wine.
Flights depart Calgary daily at 8:50 a.m. Mountain Time and arrive in Ottawa at 2:40 p.m. Eastern Time. Return flights leave Ottawa at 6:20 p.m. and arrive in Calgary at 8:49 p.m.
Porter today (Feb. 15) said it will begin Toronto-Saskatoon flights on May 16. The airline now serves all 10 Canadian provinces for the first time in its history.
FLAIR AND LYNX MERGER TALKS: EXPERT WARNS OF HIGHER PRICES
Published reports say Flair and Lynx are talking about a merger, a move that would drastically alter the Canadian aviation landscape and reduce travel choices for consumers.
The Toronto Star says three separate sources said an announcement could come as soon as today. But neither side appears to be confirming the potential merger.
“As a company policy, we refrain from commenting on rumours or speculation. Our focus remains on delivering value to our customers and stakeholders through our products and services,” airline spokesperson Gabrielle Poirier said in an email to the Star.
Lynx didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
Flair and Lynx both occupy the ultra low-cost airline space in Canada. Experts have been saying for months that it was likely Canada would lose an airline at some point given the growth of airlines such as Flair, Lynx and Canada Jetlines, not to mention the dramatic expansion by Porter Airlines.
“The price war is now over. Fares will go up, without a question. The days of Toronto to Calgary for $99 are over,” John Gradek, a former Air Canada executive and head of McGill University’s Global Aviation Leadership Program, told the Star.
