National parks in Alberta saw an increase in visitors last year despite the drop in oil proces and a weak dollar and hotels and hospitality companies in the province are expecting to see another strong tourism season this year.
According to the Alberta Tourism Market Monitor, the low Canadian dollar, healthy U.S. economy and more Albertans staying close to home contributed to an 8.1 percent rise in visitors last summer over the previous year.
Hotels, restaurants and retail shops in Banff and Jasper are starting to hire staff and officials with SAIT’s Hospitality and Tourism program are hosting an expo to help students find jobs.
“The mountain parks are booming,” said Ken Upton, Hospitality Management instructor. “Not only is there an influx of Americans, but also tourists from China, Korea and Japan. This increased volume of visitors bodes well for SAIT students looking for summer jobs.”
"We're getting an influx of Americans booking who don't even realize that their dollar stands up so well in comparison to the Canadian dollar. Once they find out that then it's just a bonus for them and they're loving it, in combination with the influx of Calgary people coming to Banff as well," said Stacey Fisher from Discover Banff Tours.
Officials at the Fairmont Palliser in downtown Calgary say visitors stop in the city before heading to the mountain parks and they see opportunity in the economic downturn.
“Business travel is down but that has created opportunities for travel in the leisure, group or tour markets. Staycations are also proving to be extremely popular as Canadians are sticking closer to home instead of going south,” said Janet Jacques, Director of Human Resources at the Fairmont Palliser.
Officials with the hotel chain say the mountains are an oasis of good economic news and that its flagship hotels are expecting a strong year.
(With files from Bill Macfarlane)
