Real rural roots
Olds to Lacombe: Alberta’s farming heart
Stretching along the abundant farmland between Calgary and Edmonton, Olds to Lacombe offers a taste of Alberta’s rich agricultural heritage. This welcoming region is known for its authentic rural experiences, four-season recreation, and culinary trails.
Visitors to the zone are usually stopping for a short break on their drive between Edmonton and Calgary. Yet Olds to Lacombe has the potential to become Alberta’s major agritourism and culinary hub, shaping a vibrant future for the area.
At a glance
Location: Central Alberta
Key communities: Red Deer, Sylvan Lake, Olds, Lacombe
Projected visitor spend: $850M by 2035*
GDP: $611M by 2035*
Jobs: 3,985 by 2035*
*With investment
Resident sentiment toward tourism is high
70% of Olds to Lacombe residents say that tourism is important to the local community.
High demand for key activities
Highly engaged international travellers are already planning trips to Alberta—but Olds to Lacombe needs more soft adventure, agritourism, culinary tourism, and premium accommodations to fully meet that demand. These additions can anchor year-round itineraries and drive sustained tourism growth.
Developing Alberta Tourism
Key Projects
Travel Alberta helps local tourism grow by facilitating the development of projects that will attract overnight visitors throughout the year. We work closely with local communities to remove barriers to development, provide business coaching to help operators grow and prosper, and invest to accelerate the development of four-season accommodations and experiences that will drive meaningful economic impact and job creation.
Why develop tourism
Investing in tourism helps make communities a better place to live, work, and visit.
More revenues
Communities with strong visitor economies earn more municipal revenues per capita, which can be reinvested in the services and amenities that residents love.
Lower taxes
Residents pay lower residential property taxes in areas with strong visitor economies.
More jobs
More visitors create a steady customer base for local businesses, creating great jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Discover more about the Olds to Lacombe TDZ
This 2023 report informs and identifies specific actions Travel Alberta, the Government of Alberta and the TDZ communities should take to support the design of a comprehensive Destination Development Plan.
Connect with our Destination & Commercial Development Manager
Learn how Travel Alberta can support your success in the Olds to Lacombe region.
