3 days ago
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.
