CATEGORY DEFINITIONS
Listing categories are classified into nine main categories, with each further subdivided into various types. Events are subdivided into nine sub-types.
Category Definitions will help you ensure that you've selected the appropriate categories that directly apply to your listing or event. Download a copy of the ATIS Categories.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Accommodations allow at least one night's stay and are available to the general public on a consistent or seasonal basis.
Backcountry Hut – A self-contained accommodation situated in a secluded location, only accessible by trails or air, and varying from rustic to more comfortable in nature.
Bed & Breakfast – An establishment situated on private property or in a small residential building, Offering a small number of guest rooms with breakfast provided.
Campground & RV Parks – A facility offering overnight stays for RVs, tents, or other alternative accommodations, such as tipis and yurts, along with a range of support services.
Guest Ranches & Farm Stays – Guest ranches are establishments providing western ambiance, cuisine, atmosphere and activities, or are situated on a farm. Farms stays are in a rural setting and offer the opportunity to observe or become involved in farm-focused activities.
Hostel – A facility with a focus on budget travellers and backpackers. These accommodations typically have dormitory-style rooms and shared kitchens, bathrooms, and common areas.
Hotels, Motels & Inns – An establishment providing accommodations, meals, and other services for travellers and tourists. Motels are a lodging establishment where rooms may be accessible from the exterior or interior, with limited food service options; inns are accommodations larger than a bed and breakfast, yet offering more personalized service than a hotel. Meal service is often limited to a breakfast and an evening meal.
Lodges & Cabins – A self-contained accommodation situated in a secluded or semi-secluded location that is available for rent on a frequent basis.
Vacation Home – A resident's secondary home, used for recreational purposes, that they rent out to travellers.
ATTRACTIONS
Attractions are specific locations considered places of interest where tourists visit, typically for inherent or exhibited cultural value, historical significance or adventure and amusement opportunities.
Agricultural – An attraction located on a farm, such as a corn maze or entertainment farm.
Amusement, Theme Park & Science Centres – A commercially operated park or permanent facility that has family-friendly games, rides, and/or exhibits and activities with a science focus.
Arts & Performing Arts Venue – A multi-use performance space, venue or facility that is primarily intended for use by various types of live performing arts such as ballet, theatre or music.
Garden– A peaceful area used for growing flowers, vegetables and/or fruit.
Golf Course – A developed location consisting of landscaped features, including greens and fairways with a minimum of 9 holes, including mini golf. Depending on location, food and other retail services may be available.
Gondola & Tramway – A self-propelled or operator-driven cable vehicle that offers: (a) transportation from the ground to a mountain peak in an attached cabin car or (b) travel along a fixed track.
Hot Springs – A natural thermal spring producing water that is above 30 degrees Celsius. Alberta has two hot springs, one in Banff National Park and the other in Jasper National Park.
Landmarks & Buildings – Man-made structures of interest to visitors, including bridges, marinas, buildings or places of worship.
Museum & Historic Site – A building or designated site that has historic/cultural significance and offers interpretive displays.
Retail Outlet – Commercial locations, such as individual stores or shopping districts, that sell goods and merchandise, providing consumers with a unique shopping or retail experience. Chain stores may be considered if they are unique to Alberta and have fewer than five locations.
Ski Hills – A developed mountain location offering downhill skiing and snowboarding.
Spa – A facility offering a variety of wellness-focused services, including fitness and health enhancement. Spas may be part of a resort, hotel or inn or in a standalone building, but they must offer a full range of services.
Sports & Recreation Facilities – A multi-use sporting facility, venue or stadium that is primarily intended for exercising, sports training or live competition in various sports such as hockey, football, baseball or basketball.
Zoo & Wildlife Park – A location or facility that focuses on the appreciation and interpretation of wildlife, such as a zoo or bird sanctuary.
FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT
Food Venues are establishments that serve and prepare food or beverages for consumption. Entertainment includes organizations or establishments that entertain guests, with or without a food component. Chains cannot have an ATIS listing unless they are Alberta-based with fewer than five locations.
Casino – A facility that houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities, and may include other forms of entertainment.
Café, Bakery or Coffee Shop – A small, informal food service provider with the focus of preparing and selling coffee, tea or other light refreshments and/or baked goods, sandwiches, and limited menu items for lunch and supper.
Diner– An eating establishment that primarily offers food service to patrons who order items at a counter or food bar for immediate or offsite consumption. They may offer a variety of food items, snacks or non-alcoholic beverages.
Dinner Theatre – A dining location where theatrical or musical performances are the focal point of the experience.
Farm & Market – A farm location or market, such as an orchard or U-Pick, that sells Alberta-grown products, or a gathering of vendors who sell their product directly to consumers. These establishments must either be a member of the Alberta Farmer's Market Association, or part of a public market that operates in a facility approved by Alberta Health and where each food vendor has an individual food establishment permit.
Live Entertainment Club – A licensed venue where the primary entertainment is the performance of live music or comedy. Similar to a nightclub or pub, these venues feature live entertainment at least four days a week.
Nightclub – A licensed establishment primarily providing nighttime entertainment such as dancing, DJs and music, and serving alcoholic beverages for immediate consumption.
Performing Arts and Theatre Groups – Professional or semi-professional theatre groups or performing arts ensembles that perform regularly scheduled repertoire under an established name to a live audience.
Pub– A licensed establishment that primarily prepares and serves alcoholic beverages for immediate consumption. These establishments may also provide varying levels of food service.
Restaurant – A place where people pay to sit and eat meals that are cooked and served on the premises.
Sports Organizations – An organization that competes in organized sport at a professional or semi-professional level during a regularly scheduled season.
Winery & Brewery – An establishment where the focal point is the brewing and distillation of wines, spirits or other alcoholic products. To be considered in this category, the winery or brewery must offer a consumer education or tour component.
GUIDED TOURS
Businesses in this category deliver guided tours on a regular schedule, or are able to provide, upon request, custom guided experiences for individuals or groups.
Guided Operator – A business that delivers scheduled guided tours or is able to provide, upon request, custom guided experiences for individuals or groups. Guided Operators must have insurance and a license to operate under this premise.
NATURAL ATTRACTIONS
Natural attractions include geographic or other natural features of interest to tourists, including, but not limited to, the following: waterfalls, lakes, mountains, beaches, caves and rock formations, scenic lookouts, viewing areas, and other scenes of impressive natural beauty.
Beach – An area of shore adjacent to and extending into water, which provides opportunity for water recreation and activities.
Canyon– Also called a gorge, a canyon is a deep ravine between cliffs, often carved from the landscape by a river.
Dark Sky Preserve – An area, usually surrounding a park or observatory, that is kept free of artificial light pollution and holds an official designation as a Dark Sky Preserve.
Glacier– A slow-moving mass of ice and debris, formed by the accumulation and compaction of snow on mountains.
Lake– A body of standing water, usually fresh, that is surrounded by land.
Recreation Area – An area of land preserved for recreational use.
Lookout Point – A location providing scenic views of landscapes or man-made features.
Mountain– A large natural elevation of the earth's surface rising abruptly from the surrounding level.
National Park – A scenic, historic or natural area protected by the federal government for the enjoyment of the general public or the preservation of wildlife. There are five National Parks in Alberta: Banff, Elk Island, Jasper, Waterton Lakes and Wood Buffalo.
Northern Lights – The aurora of the Northern Hemisphere.
Provincial Park – A scenic, historic or natural area protected by the provincial government for the enjoyment of the general public or the preservation of wildlife.
River– A body of water, usually fresh, flowing towards another body of water.
Trail – A beaten path through rough country such as a forest.
Waterfall – A place where water flows over a vertical drop in the course of a stream or river
RENTALS
Businesses where travellers can rent items to augment their tourism experience or transport themselves from point A to point B.
ATV’s, Snowmobiles, Motorcycles – A location that rents recreational vehicles such as ATV’s, motorcycles or snowmobiles.
Automobile – A location offering rental of automobiles.
Camping Equipment – A location offering rental of camping equipment for any length of time.
Recreational Vehicle – A location offering rental of campers, trailers or motorhomes.
Sporting Equipment – A location offering rental of one or many types of sporting equipment for any length of time.
Watercraft – A location that rents motorized boats, jet skis, or non-motorized watercraft such as canoes, kayaks or other boats.
TRANSPORTATION
Businesses and organizations in this category provide transportation services to travellers.
Airport– Designated location for scheduled air service from domestic and international markets. Alberta is serviced by three international airports, in Edmonton, Fort McMurray and Calgary.
Bus– Scheduled bus service providing consumers with transportation to and from designated start and destination points.
Coach– A type of bus service offering chartered, regular tours.
Ferry– Scheduled service providing transport to vehicles or people across a body of water.
Rail – Scheduled rail service providing transport for people to and from designated start and destination points.
Transfer & Shuttle – Scheduled service designed to transport passengers to and from an airport or other location.
VISITOR SERVICES
Businesses and organizations in this category provide transportation services to travellers.
Port of Entry - An access point, for international visitors into Alberta by road or air.
Visitor Information Centre - A location with regular scheduled hours offering visitors a place to gather information about Alberta.
EVENTS
Events are classified into nine main categories, based on their primary purpose.
Agricultural Fair – Includes agricultural fairs and exhibitions.
Arts & Performing Arts – Includes plays, musicals, and dance performances, as well as film, video and literary arts produced or performed by professional or semi-professional arts organizations.
Cultural – Any event with a focus on cultural heritage or history, including Indigenous events, western heritage and events at museums & historic sites.
Culinary – Any event with a primary focus on food/drink products that is open to the public. Events with food and drink that are not the primary focus do not fit this category.
Exhibits & Shows – Exhibitions and shows including arts/crafts events, motor shows, and special exhibits.
Festival– A single or multi-day event that celebrates a particular theme (e.g., film, music, etc.) and has a varied program of events or entertainment.
Rodeo – Includes professional/amateur rodeos and chuckwagon races.
Music & Concerts – Any type of musical presentation, ranging from rock concert to symphony, produced or performed by professional or semi-professional organizations.
Sport Events – Individual or team sport competitions (races, championships, games) performed by professional or semi-professional sports organizations.
