G7 expected to boost economy and fill hotels in Calgary and mountain towns

Calgary and the surrounding region are gearing up for a significant surge in visitors as the G7 leaders’ summit approaches in Kananaskis, Alta. With the event scheduled to take place from June 15 to 17, thousands of delegates, journalists, and security personnel are expected to descend upon the area. Hotel rooms are already in high demand, with approximately 10,000 bookings anticipated across the region.

While Kananaskis will be the focal point of the summit, Calgary will play a crucial role in hosting support services for the event. Sol Zia, the executive director of the Calgary Hotel Association, mentioned that armed and diplomatic services have already started arriving in the city for preliminary work. Around 2,500 various service personnel are expected to stay in Calgary and the surrounding region for an extended period, resulting in an estimated 45,000 hotel room nights and generating nearly $13 million in accommodations revenue for the city in June.

The influx of visitors for the G7 summit is not the only major event happening in the region during that month. The Global Energy Show and the Rotary International Convention are also scheduled, making finding a hotel room in Calgary a challenge. As a result, some attendees have turned to alternative options such as university residences for accommodation. Mount Royal University and the University of Calgary are both providing housing for various personnel involved in the summit preparations.

In Canmore and Kananaskis, tourism officials are reporting positive feedback from local businesses, with hotels at full capacity and restaurants seeing higher-than-usual bookings. Despite the increased activity, both towns remain open for business. Banff, which is located near Kananaskis, is also expecting a slight uptick in visitors, although the impact is expected to be minimal given the town’s regular summer influx of tourists.

The Calgary Chamber of Commerce estimates that the G7 summit could generate around $190 million for the local economy and $240 million for Alberta as a whole. Chamber president and CEO Deborah Yedlin believes that the event, along with other large-scale gatherings this summer, will provide a significant boost to local businesses and create strong momentum for the economy.

Hosting the G7 summit presents a fantastic opportunity to showcase Kananaskis and Alberta on an international stage. Leaders from the G7 countries and the European Union will attend the summit, bringing attention to the region and providing support for local businesses. The event is expected to raise the area’s profile, benefit the local economy, and promote tourism in the region.