Canmore tourism sector optimistic as major events shine spotlight on town in 2025

Canmore tourism operators are already optimistic about 2025, in part because of two unique events that will bring more visitors and attention to the Rocky Mountain town.

World leaders and their delegations will arrive in June for the G7, which will be held in nearby Kananaskis. Meanwhile, Canmore will host the upcoming Hockey Day in Canada event in January.

"We have seen quite a few bookings come in for both events already," said Andrew Shepherd, general manager of the Malcolm Hotel.

"I see growth happening not just with those two events, but as the world continues to kind of get back to normal," he said.

Hockey Day in Canada festivities will take place Jan. 15–18 and include various activities, including concerts, hockey clinics and Sportsnet broadcasts.

The G7 leaders' summit in 2025 will mark the first time Canada has hosted the summit since 2018. Kananaskis, a mountain recreation area west of Calgary, was the location of the 2002 summit.

"From an economic impact point of view, we know it's not just the leaders of the countries coming to Canmore and also Kananaskis. It's also the delegations and the staff that comes with it," said Rachel Ludwig, CEO of Tourism Canmore Kananaskis.

"There will be lots of media coverage about our natural beauty and we are excited for the world to see it," she said.

The current year is shaping up to be a banner year for the tourism sector provincewide, according to recent statistics. 

Total foreign visitor spending reached a record high in the first half of 2024 at $1.2 billion. That's a 6.6 per cent increase compared to the same time last year, according to Statistics Canada.

Foreign visitors would often skip Canmore because they weren't aware of it as a destination, but that's changing, said James Hague, director of marketing for Charming Inns of Alberta.

"The awareness is there and it's growing," said Hague, adding 2025 is shaping up to be "great for everybody" in the tourism industry.

This year, Hockey Day in Canada was held in Victoria and had an economic impact of $4 million, according to Destination Greater Victoria.

Canmore will benefit by hosting the event during a month that is typically slow for tourism.

"January's great. No one is traveling in January. It's Christmas hangover. Everyone spent too much money on their kids at Christmas or their spouse, friends or family. So, that's a well-timed event," said Hague.