Business Sectors

Tourism and Entertainment

The Tourism and Entertainment sector is founded on many of the natural resources in Alberta's International Region; friendly people, a strong private sector-government partnership and stunning scenery.  There are a wide diversity of tourism experiences, including wildlife viewing, outdoor camping, canoeing and river adventures, cultural events and a vivid urban nightlife.  Between 1990 and 1999, tourism receipts in the industry grew 62 percent, from $2.6 billion to $4.2 billion. 

"Tourism is one of the largest industries in the province, employing approximately 100,000 Albertans. Alberta's tourism industry dates back to 1885 when an area of scenic wilderness in the Canadian Rocky Mountains was set aside as Banff National Park. Today, Alberta has five national parks and over 300 provincial parks and recreation areas." (Alberta-Canada.com)

The Grand Alberta Trail is a large, 1200 kilometre circle tour of  highway routes that profiles spectacular attractions, adventures, and activities. This route takes you west of Edmonton into rural west central Alberta to enjoy the many unique experiences of the region.  The River Valley Alliance is a broad-based regional advisory group of elected officials and citizens who ensure the continual and sustainable growth of the River Valley region as a viable tourist attraction.

Critical Labour Needs

As with any sector experiencing such explosive growth, there is a high demand for a wide variety of skilled labour.  Detailed statistics and demands can be found at Alberta Tourism Reports, Statistics & Trends.