Attracting more tourists to Alberta | Attirer plus de touristes en Alberta
The Voice of Canada News
Alberta communities and not-for-profit operators of tourism attractions are receiving provincial grants to attract more visitors and boost tourism spending.
Thirteen recipients of the first intake of the Tourism Growth Innovation Fund (TGIF) are developing strategies and new products that will help expand tourism in the winter and shoulder seasons in smaller communities and niche markets.
“We are helping communities across the province continue to build and enhance tourism experiences that travellers want. This will attract more people to Alberta and inspire them to explore off the beaten path to find our hidden gems. With more innovative tourism products, people will stay longer which will help grow our tourism industry and local economies, and create memorable experiences for Albertans and travellers.”
Ricardo Miranda, Minister of Culture and Tourism
“This tourism grant represents a real opportunity to revitalize Rouleauville, our francophone district of Calgary. This initiative will be a way to invite all francophones and francophiles from here and abroad to come to learn and discover the history of the pioneers of our city using modern technology.”
Étienne Alary, executive director, Conseil de Développement Économique de l’Alberta
“We could never have pioneered our incredible, innovative programs without the assistance of the TGIF and Alberta Culture and Tourism.”
Vance Neudorf, executive director, Canadian Badlands Passion Play Society
The goal of the grant program is to diversify tourism experiences and destinations, focusing on innovation and shoulder season opportunities across the province. TGIF aims to strengthen collaboration among tourism stakeholders and offers matching grants of up to $75,000.
Communities and non-profit tourism organizations from across the province are encouraged to apply during the next intake period, Oct. 1 – 31. The program accepts applications in two separate streams: destination development support and product development support.
More information about the fund, including eligibility and application forms, is available at alberta.ca/TGIF.
Quick facts
- Tourism jobs cover a broad range, from part-time, entry-level positions to full-time executive positions, in regions across the province.
- The industry supports more than 19,000 businesses in Alberta, many of which are family-owned, small- and medium-sized companies.
- In 2016, 34.8 million people visited Alberta and spent $8.5 billion (Statistics Canada).
Backgrounder: TGIF recipients
Big Lakes County
Visitor Friendly Assessment: Funds to hire a consultant to assess the region’s tourism strengths and opportunities.
Camrose Regional Exhibition and Agriculture Society
Growing Rural Tourism: Funds to support the delivery of the 2019 Growing Rural Tourism Conference.
Canadian Badlands Passion Play Society, Drumheller
Drumbeats Pilot Project: Funds for Drumbeats, a captivating sound and light show that tells the story of the Badlands history.
Community Futures Crowsnest Pass
Alberta Rockies South/Castle Region: Funds to inform the formation of a destination management organization that will support tourism development, marketing and training for the region.
Community Futures Wild Rose, Strathmore
Agri-Tourism Expansion Initiative: Funds for research, stakeholder engagement and strategic planning to assist the region with growing agri-tourism.
Conseil de Développement Économique de l’Alberta, Calgary
Francophone Heritage Tourism in Calgary’s Rouleauville: Funds for a virtual guide in French and English, as well as BaladoDécouverte — a bilingual and innovative experience with podcasting technology available on tablets and smartphones.
Friends of Medalta Society, Medicine Hat
Stay and Play with Clay — Tourism Opportunity Assessment and Plan: Funds to create a plan for a unique immersive experience for cultural explorers and established artists.
Lac La Biche County
Tourism Strategy: Funds to produce a strategic plan for the county, local businesses and the community to grow the local and regional tourism industry.
Leduc-Nisku Economic Development Association
Leduc Region Destination Management Plan: Funds to produce a plan to help identify tourism opportunities and build a collaborative approach to managing tourism in the region.
Métis Nation of Alberta (Métis Crossing), Smoky Lake
Métis Crossing Experiential Interpretive Plan: Funds to develop a plan that will guide the creation of authentic experiences that tell the history of the Métis people.
Red Deer Visitor and Convention Bureau
Growing our Visitors Experience: Funds to develop a sport and event tourism strategy that will help enhance and expand on leisure travel opportunities in the community.
Town of Sylvan Lake
Sylvan Lake Festival and Event Strategy Implementation: Funds to help grow Sylvan Lake’s tourism offerings by establishing a selection of off-season sustainable festivals and events.
United Farmers Historical Society, Claresholm
Honouring Women in Agriculture: Funds to create an engaging exhibit on women in agriculture that will include a sculpture of Louise McKinney, artefacts and a digital touchscreen display.
