Latest news with #AndrewBoitchenko
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Province hopes to grow tourism economy to $25B by 2035 through sports events: ministers
Alberta cabinet ministers Andrew Boitchenko and joseph Schow at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce earlier this week, discussing the role sporting events can have in boosting provincial tourism numbers. It's an ambitious goal -- grow Alberta's tourism economy to $25 billion by 2035 -- and a pair of provincial ministers say sporting events are set to play a bigger role. During a fireside chat hosted by the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, ministers Joseph Schow and the new tourism and sports minister Andrew Boitchenko fielded questions about facility upgrades, funding like the Olympic Oval -- and Calgary's need for a new soccer field. The ministers didn't offer any timelines, but said all three levels of government need to commit. On the topic of attracting international sporting events, the jobs and economy minister said Alberta must choose wisely to avoid unwanted cost overruns and opportunities that fit best. Schow added that he thought Calgary really missed out hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics. '(It was a) huge missed opportunity,' said Schow, 'and to this day, it breaks my heart. Calgary residents voted down the opportunity to submit a 2026 Winter Olympic bid, which ultimately went to Italy. 'It looks like it (the Winter Olympics) is spoken for well into 2040.' Schow also presented former Tourism Calgary CEO Cindy Ady with the King's Coronation medal in recognition of her work promoting the city.
Calgary Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- Calgary Herald
Alberta's goal of $25B from tourism 'very doable' by 2035
Alberta's lofty tourism goals are aiming to chart a path for continued success in the sector. Article content The province's long-term tourism strategy aims to grow Alberta's annual visitor economy from around $10 billion to $25 billion by 2035. Article content Over the period of January to September last year, the province saw tourism revenues climb by 10 per cent over 2023 — from $10.5 billion to $11.5 billion. Article content Article content At a Friday event hosted by the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, Tourism and Sport Minister Andrew Boitchenko and Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration Joseph Schow discussed tourism's future in Alberta. Article content Article content 'It brings business to local communities, and I think that's a big part our (Alberta's) diversification,' said Boitchenko during a fireside chat with Schow hosted by Chamber president and CEO Deborah Yedlin in the Fairmont Palliser's Crystal Ballroom. Article content According to the provincial government, growth in Alberta's tourism sector outpaced every other province, advancing at a rate more than three times the national average for the first three quarters of 2024. Article content 'We need to understand that in the world, tourism is the fastest growing industry — outgrowing other industries by three times or so,' said Boitchenko, who was granted the tourism and sport portfolio two weeks ago. Article content Article content Boitchenko also expressed enthusiasm for rail projects in the province, having been born in Ukraine and seeing how convenient Europe's rail system is. He immigrated to Canada as a teenager. Article content Boitchenko did not provide any update on possible funding for refurbishment at Calgary's Olympic Oval, a new field house or improvements at the aging McMahon Stadium, which is set to host the Grey Cup next year. Article content However, he did note the importance of partnerships with the private sector and other orders of government for larger projects. Article content A 'big part' of what Boitchenko aims to do is advocate for the federal government to help with constructing and maintaining facilities.
