Métis Crossing: A global success in the Lakelands

With growing global interest in Indigenous-led tourism and immersive cultural experiences, Travel Alberta helped Métis Crossing identify an opportunity to expand its offerings and reach a wider, year-round audience. The destination's success has elevated it to international renown, with features in National Geographic, Conde Nast Traveler, and Travel + Leisure.

The Opportunity

Demand for Indigenous tourism is growing-one in three international travellers have stated an interest in authentic Indigenous tourism experiences, and the Indigenous tourism sector is projected to contribute $6 billion annually to Canada’s GDP by 2030.

A critical goal was to increase visitation during the winter months, as the cold weather is a known barrier to tourism operators in the region. The development of unique, four-season accommodations was identified as a strategic way to enhance the visitor experience and drive stronger year-round international demand.

Travel Alberta contributed extensive support to realize this vision. This included feasibility studies, regulatory navigation, marketing support, and business coaching delivered in partnership with Indigenous Tourism Alberta.

A key element of the expansion was the construction of 12 new Sky Watching Domes, a $6.5 million investment designed to offer luxury, all-season accommodations that complement the cultural and natural beauty of the site.

The Business

Métis Crossing is Alberta's first major cultural destination of the Métis People, a distinct Indigenous cultural group in the area. It is located 120 km (75 mi) northeast of Edmonton in the emerging Northeast Lakelands region.

This 688-acre historical site includes a 40-room boutique lodge, a wildlife park with bison, elk, and horses, a Cultural Gathering Centre, a café serving traditional Métis cuisine, and artisan showcases. One of the destination's most distinctive offerings is its new boutique Sky Watching Dome accommodations, inviting guests to sleep beneath Alberta’s expansive night skies.

Driven by a mission to foster Métis economic development, Métis Crossing operates as a community cornerstone—creating employment, supporting local Indigenous businesses and artists, and facilitating intergenerational cultural sharing and pride.

The Outcome

Thanks in part to this strategic expansion and Travel Alberta's collaboration, Métis Crossing has emerged as a global tourism success story. The new skygazing domes helped unlock winter tourism, while enhanced marketing support—including hosted media trips—secured major international coverage.

Travel + Leisure named Métis Crossing one of the "Best Places to Go in 2024," and it featured as the cover story of their 2023 "Innovation" issue.

The development has solidified Métis Crossing's role as a signature anchor attraction within the Northeast Lakelands—one of ten designated Tourism Development Zones (TDZs) in Alberta, identified by Travel Alberta as high-potential areas for long-term economic growth.