Alberta tourism sector sees gradual gains compared to pandemic 2020
Preliminary estimates from the government of Alberta Tourism Market Monitor show visitors are slowly returning to the province and travel is gradually resuming.
The province releases the tourism market monitor monthly to update statistics related to the accommodations, service, and tourism sector.
The amount of air passengers arriving and departing from the province’s largest airports has increased by 159.7 per cent year-over-year.
Attendance at Banff and Jasper National Parks increased compared to last year’s figures throughout the summer months.
As of September, more than 3.2 million visitors went through the park gates in Banff while more than 1.9 million visited Jasper, representing a nearly 28 per cent and 27 per cent change from last year, respectively.
Hotel occupancy rates, excluding resorts, have increased every month this year, starting at 19.9 per cent in January – a 20.1 per cent drop from 2020. The latest figure available, from August, showed the hotel occupancy rate Alberta-wide at 58.9 per cent – a gain of 7.9 per cent from 2020.
The average daily room rates have also increased by $109.96, year to date.
As of September, 333,410 reservations at Alberta Parks have been made.
According to the province, the tourism industry unemployment rate is at 5.8 per cent. Unemployment for the sector peaked at 29.7 per cent in May 2020, and according to Travel Alberta, was more than double the average unemployment rate for all industries in the province combined.
At the start of this year, the unemployment rate for the tourism sector was at 22.6 per cent.
The tourism market monitor said the total projected food service and drinking places receipts, based on the latest numbers from July, were up 24.5 per cent year-over-year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Blind Sask. boy heading to international braille competition hopes to increase accessibility for visually impaired
A Saskatchewan boy who qualified for an international braille competition in Los Angeles next month hopes he can inspire change in his home province.
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Steve Albini, legendary producer for Nirvana, the Pixies and an alternative rock pioneer, dies at 61
Steve Albini, an alternative rock pioneer and legendary producer who shaped the musical landscape through his work with Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey and more, has died. He was 61.