Canada’s emerging global gateway for business growth
Calgary stands as a beacon of opportunity, serving as Alberta’s largest urban center and a significant economic powerhouse in Western Canada. This vibrant city offers youthful dynamism, global connectivity, and a flourishing visitor economy, while boasting the highest head office concentration per capita in Canada—positioning it as an optimal destination for business expansion.
Tourism Calgary
Why Calgary?
Population & growth
With a population exceeding 1.6 million in the metropolitan area and one of the youngest median ages in Canada, Calgary is poised for sustained demographic and economic growth.
Affluence & talent
Calgary boasts one of the highest median household incomes in the country, supported by a highly educated and globally experienced workforce.
Global connectivity
Calgary International Airport (YYC) is Canada’s third-busiest airport and a major hub for WestJet, offering direct flights to over 85 destinations worldwide.
Visitor economy
Calgary welcomed over 8 million visitors in 2023, generating $2.9 billion in tourism revenue—surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
At a glance
Direct access to the world
Calgary International Airport (YYC)
Calgary International Airport is a critical gateway to Alberta and the fourth busiest airport in Canada, welcoming 18.6 million passengers in 2023. As a hub for WestJet Airlines, YYC offers direct flights to key U.S. markets—including Denver, L.A., and Chicago—and major global cities like Tokyo, London, Paris, and Mexico City.
Main attractions
What’s bringing visitors to Calgary?
Calgary Stampede
Dating back to 1886, the Calgary Stampede is a ten-day celebration of Western heritage and culture, famously dubbed “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth”. Each July, Alberta’s largest city comes alive as 1.2 million visitors come to experience a grand parade, Indigenous cultural performances, agricultural exhibitions, and one of the world’s largest rodeos. It doubles as a massive music festival, with over 150 artists performing across nine venues.
BMO Convention Centre
The centre’s $500-million expansion increased the facility’s total floor space to more than one million square feet, elevating Calgary to top-tier destination status in the global meetings and conventions market. The three-level building features more than 100,000 square feet of new exhibition space, 38 state-of-the-art meeting rooms, two expansive ballrooms totalling 70,000 square feet, and a 100,000 square foot outdoor plaza as a year-round gathering space.
Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo
Situated on 125 acres in the heart of Calgary, Alberta, the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is a leading international authority in wildlife conservation, committed to fighting the extinction of plants and animals across the globe. Visitors can meet almost 1,000 animals and 119 species from five continents. The 48-hectare (120-acre) zoo is organized by zones: Wild Canada, Destination Africa, Exploration India, Penguin Plunge, Dorothy Harvie Botanical Gardens and ENMAX Conservatory (including the butterfly garden), Eurasia, and Prehistoric Park with its animatronic dinosaurs.
TELUS Spark Science Centre
TELUS Spark Science Centre, a registered educational charity, exists to entertain and inspire people of all ages through creative encounters with science, engineering, technology, math and art. Guests explore the science behind the human body, space, earth, and more. Kids and adults alike can take in the wonder of the big screen at the 360-degree Infinity Dome theatre, play in the Digital Immersion Gallery, or explore the Brainasium Outdoor Park.
Get inspired
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