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Calgary Herald

Japanese diplomats challenged to find G7 accommodation in busy southern Alberta

Finding enough rooms at the inn is proving no mean feat for Japanese government officials set to attend the G7 Leaders' Summit in Kananaskis next month. Article content Article content The Asian country's foreign affairs staff are almost certainly not alone in scrambling to find suitable lodging in a Calgary region that'll also be hosting about 20,000 Rotary International Convention delegates immediately after the June 15-17 G7 gathering. Article content Article content Both are happening just as the summer tourism season in the Calgary-Banff region begins and shortly before the July 4-13 Calgary Stampede Article content Article content His office said the demand for rooms in the mountains is so great, some of the officials' accommodation is being sought in an also soon-to-be busy Calgary. Article content In the past few days, Suguru Hayashida's been making the rounds in Banff, Canmore and Kananaskis to size up the venues, accommodations and logistical challenges facing his country's delegation that will include 200 government officials. Article content Another 100 Japanese journalists based in their home country and elsewhere will also converge on Banff-Kananaskis for G7, he said. Article content 'You have to make sure there's lots of back-up contingencies in case things change,' said Hayashida, a native of Nagasaki who's been stationed in Ottawa for the past 2-1/2 years. Article content Article content But the diplomat said he's been impressed with those in the hospitality sector in Calgary and the mountains to the west. Article content 'People are so kind and open-minded, it's well-organized' said Hayashida, adding the majestic mountain setting for the gathering of leaders of the U.K., Germany, Italy, France, the U.S., Japan and host Canada is ideal. Article content 'It's perfect from the point of view of security, it's very quiet and (its beauty) is one of the most important elements as an ice breaker (for delegates) and for a fresh mind,' he said. Article content Having visited the Canadian Rockies before on a family vacation, Hayashida said he was happy to hear the 2025 G7 would be held in Kananaskis. Article content But the summit's idyllic setting will be subjected to a tight security cordon, with area surrounding Kananaskis Village blocked off to all except those permitted to enter the security zone.