You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience and security.

$22 Million

Total Expenditure in Alberta (2019)

34 Thousand

Total Person-Visits to Alberta (2019)

648,000

Potential visitors to Alberta (respondents who indicated they are definitely or very likely to visit Canada in the next two years)

Overview

Outbound travel fell to 45% below 2019 levels in 2021 due to worldwide border closures brought in to curtail rising infection rates. Recovery was underway throughout 2022, with vaccine roll-outs allowing for the easing of restrictions and Mexico outbound travel set to improve to 24% below 2019 levels. High inflation and weakening economic growth is likely to dampen the near-term travel recovery however Oxford Economics anticipates outbound travel will return to 2019 levels by 2024.

On this page:

Competitor Comparison
Air Travel
Economic Indicators
Traveller Characteristics

Two people standing in an ice cave

Competitor Comparison

Indicator Quebec Ontario Alberta BC Canada
Visitation (2019) 140 Thousand 221 Thousand 34 Thousand 143 Thousand 574 Thousand
Share of total national visitation (2019) 24% 31% 6% 25% -
Expenditure (2019) $161 Million $217 Million $22 Million $262 Million $693 Million
Share of total national expenditure (2019) 23% 31% 3% 38% -
Average spend (2019) $1,148 $980 $642 $1,833 $1,208

Air Travel

Economic Indicators

Indicator 2020 2021 2022
GDP - per capita $8,623 $10,194 $11,221
GDP - YoY Growth Rate -15.1% 18.2% 10.1%
Exchange Rate (CAD/MXN) (annual average) $0.063 $0.062 $0.065
Unemployment Rate (annual average) 4.6% 4.1% 3.5%
Inflation Rate (annual average) 3.4% 7.4% 7.9%

Traveller Characteristics

Accommodation Booking Channel
Online through a travel agent/tour operator 47%
Through an online booking engine 40%
Booked in-person through travel agent 39%
Through accommodation sharing services website 22%
Directly with lodging/accommodation establishment 12%

Length of Stay
1 night 0%
2-3 nights 50%
4-6 nights 29%
7-13 nights 12%
14+ nights 9%

Seasonality (2019)

Purpose of Visit (2019)

Top Barriers to Travel
Health risks 36%
Poor weather 30%
Cost 29%
Visa requirements 28%
Safety concerns 18%
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) requirements  17%
Top 5 Trip Anchors
Northern lights 54%
Hiking or walking in nature 53%
Trying local food and drink 48%
Natural attractions 47%
Nature parks 47%