Investing in Alberta tourism
By Chantelle de Jonge Chestermere-Strathmore MLA
Alberta’s government has set out to substantially grow the province’s tourism sector from $10 billion in annual visitor expenditures to $25 billion by 2035. To meet this ambitious objective, Alberta needs new and improved year-round tourist attractions across the province to attract visitors from across the country and around the world while giving Albertans more opportunities to enjoy our province.
In British Columbia, “All Season Resorts” like Sun Peaks, Kicking Horse, and Revelstoke allow visitors access to year-round adventure. While many Albertans travel across the provincial borderline and drive hours to visit these resorts in B.C., Alberta simply does not offer the same year-round resort experiences. British Columbia boasts 13 of these all-season resorts on crown lands while Alberta does not have any. That’s why Alberta’s government introduced the All-Season Resorts Act to establish a clear, straightforward resort development approval process for developers and investors.
This bill signifies our province’s strong commitment to red-tape reduction and reminds the world that Alberta is open for business. We are actively looking for investment in development opportunities in Alberta’s endless, pristine natural beauty.
Alberta’s government aims to develop well-managed areas and preserve Alberta’s heritage and protected spaces for future generations of residents and visitors. If passed, the All-Season Resorts Act will unlock the potential of our natural resources above the ground – the beauty of our landscape and the warm hospitality of Albertans – so we can continue to diversify the province’s economy and maintain our position among the best places in the world to live and visit.
Several industry-leading organizations have expressed interest in developing all-season resorts in Alberta, which will establish a more robust tourism experience across the province. We anticipate this will have a significant economic impact for the province, with over $2 billion in additional tourism spending, $4 billion in additional GDP and tens of thousands of jobs created in communities across the province within the first ten years.
On the energy front, Premier Danielle Smith has joined the Governors’ Coalition for Energy Security to further support advocacy of Alberta’s energy and environmental interests with key U.S. states.
By expanding energy ties with the U.S. and promoting cross-border energy trade and participation, Alberta is helping to build upon its North American Energy strategy. Alberta already accounts for 56 per cent of all oil imports to the U.S. – twice as much as Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Iraq combined – which is helping to drive job creation and prosperity on both sides of the border.
Natural gas also plays an important role in North America’s energy mix. Alberta is the largest producer of natural gas in Canada and remains positioned to support the U.S. in filling their domestic supply gaps.
Finally, I am pleased to share that I have been hosting a series of successful coffee and chat meetups across our constituency this month. On Saturday, Nov. 23, I will be in Strathmore at the Smiley’s Restaurant from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., and in Carseland at the Carseland Restaurant and Lounge from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Please join me! I look forward to hearing your feedback and questions.
(Chantelle de Jonge is the MLA for Chestermere-Strathmore and the Parliamentary Secretary for Affordability and Utilities)