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Edmontontourismweek2023

In Praise of Edmonton Tourism

Posted by Michael Janz on April 21, 2023

Next week (April 24th to April 30th) is Edmonton Tourism Week in Edmonton and we have a number of things to celebrate.

I still remember my first tourist trip to Edmonton as a bright-eyed teenager on a family summer vacation. We were doing a pilgrimage up to my father’s musical Mecca (the CKUA record library on Jasper) and decades later, a few things still leap out for me. First, the abject chaos and energy of the Fringe festival. Second, the Barqs Root Beer street teams, which dates the trip, and third seeing firsthand the classic Carnegie-style historic architecture of the Strathcona Public Library. My story is like so many in this town—Tourism first brought me here, the University of Alberta kept me here.

My challenge to you this week:
1. Be a tourist in your own city, and
2. Shop local...

As a City Councillor, I work quite closely with the fantastic team at Explore Edmonton. This arms-length body—of which City Council is the shareholder—is responsible for a number of tasks including venues and also the promotion and storytelling of the “visitor economy.” When we talk about economic diversification, or attracting new talent to Edmonton, or improving the quality of life for Edmontonians, we have so much to celebrate.

When you welcome guests to Edmonton, where do you take them? What are your favourite activities? Since becoming a Dad, many of my tourist experiences are more at stroller height:

  • High Level Street Car (everyone must do this at least once!)
  • E-Bike rentals such as Pedego and other local shops
  • Metro Cinema, Royal Alberta Museum, Art Gallery of Alberta
  • A lot of spots on the Coffee Pass, bakeries and snacks (for the kids of course…)
  • Skating at Meadows Rec or Victoria
  • Live Theatre (Studio Theatre U of A, RapidFire Exchange, Citadel—We have amazing opportunities!)
  • Breweries along Happy Beer Street after the kids hid the hay (Book a tour of Monolith!)
  • Site visits to the “Edmonton Playgrounds” Instagram
  • Whatever is listed on the What’s On In Edmonton page

What are your favourites? Get out there next week and try something new!
I’m regularly shocked how few have attended some of the incredible amenities right here in our own backyard. The more we know our own city, the more we can celebrate it.

Did you know?

  • Edmonton was on the rise before the pandemic. In 2019 we welcomed a record 6.3 million visitors who spent $1.85 billion.
  • Travel Alberta research projects Edmonton’s visitor economy will see the highest growth in the province at 61% by 2030.
  • Almost 9 million visitors could come to the city in 2030.
  • Visitor spending between 2024 and 2030 is expected to total almost $18 billion—about $2.5–3 billion per year.

We need to teach Edmontonians to see their city as a destination because visitors love Edmonton. While 93 % of residents in the Rockies say they’re very informed about tourism and recommend the area to visitors, only 4 % of Edmontonians say they have strong knowledge of tourism—likely why we don’t recommend our city as often.

Major events are tourism

  • JUNO Awards in March
  • Sport and cultural events in 2022 provided $92 million in total economic impact
  • Business events and conferences added another $30 million
  • World Dodgeball Championships last fall
  • Volleyball Canada Super Nationals welcomed over 800 teams and sold 52,000+ hotel room nights, producing $63.7 million in total economic impact
  • Canadian Hydrogen Convention this week expects 4,000 delegates, with 2,000 out-of-town visitors and 300 overseas travelers

Thanks for reading!
Be a tourist in our own city and learn more at exploreedmonton.com.