a day ago
'Priceless' exposure: Tourism officials eye long-term gains from G7 buzz
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With the summit concluding Tuesday, tourism and hospitality officials are optimistic the global exposure will translate into long-term economic benefits.
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'It's priceless,' said Jorg Rodig, senior vice-president of Pomeroy Lodging, which operates Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge. 'The G7 being in Alberta, and particularly in Kananaskis, put a big spotlight on the region.'
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Rodig, who has been on site since May to prepare for the summit, said the resort has seen a surge in interest since Sunday, with web traffic up by more than 500 per cent on Tuesday.
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'While Calgarians, Albertans and British Columbians have enjoyed Kananaskis for a very long time, we think that (the global exposure) will bring more people into the region,' he said.
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Rodig anticipates an increase in domestic visitors this summer, with longer-term growth coming from international markets.
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'We believe that, in the long term, there will potentially be more people from the U.S. and internationally (who) pick Kananaskis as a destination,' he said, noting positive feedback from G7 delegates at the site.
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'The general sentiment was: 'What a stunning location,'' he said.
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'We look forward to continuing to welcome the world'
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At the River Retreat Kananaskis, owners Jaxy and Todd Broadbent said they've seen a significant surge in web traffic and inquiries to their boutique lodge leading up to and during the G7 summit.
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'It's fantastic for our area,' said Jaxy Broadbent. 'It is absolutely exposing the world to different parts of Alberta.'
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Broadbent expects this exposure will 'absolutely' boost their business in the long term.
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'We have more exposure because of it — it's huge,' she said. 'We find it quite exciting.'
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Tourism Canmore Kananaskis CEO Rachel Ludwig said the summit will help elevate the region's profile in key international markets. 'While we are becoming a world-class, bucket-list destination, we do anticipate the G7 Leaders' Summit to only brighten the spotlight on us more,' Ludwig said in a statement. 'We know that international guests are more likely to stay longer and spend more.
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'As the Summit wraps up, we look forward to continuing to welcome the world, from families to couples to solo travellers to world leaders to Canmore and Kananaskis.'
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Banff Mayor Corrie DiManno is hopeful the exposure will not only boost visitors but spread it more evenly throughout the year beyond its peak summer season.
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'Although the timing of the G7 is happening during our summer season, we also encourage folks to make plans to visit Banff in our less busy fall and winter season,' DiManno said in an emailed statement. 'It's just as spectacular and there are so many activities and adventures unique to Canada's first national park to experience.'
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As the summit wraps Tuesday, the long-term tourism impacts remain to be seen, but the global reach is undeniable, with social media users around the world taking note of what the region has to offer.
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What part of Canada is this….looks incredible
— Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) June 16, 2025
