{"data":{"id":"26e9b705-e3d6-479f-9c4d-6dcdada93060","originKind":"SYNDICATED","title":"Visitor economy in focus during Tourism Week","summary":"Explore Edmonton is highlighting the value of the visitor economy as Canada heads into National Tourism Week from April 20 to 24. The city's economic development agency for tourism reports that visitors spent $2.6 billion in the region last year. Explore Edmonton's own events and venues — the Edmonton Convention Centre and the Edmonton EXPO Centre — delivered $508 million in economic impact that year, a 17-time return on investment. Elsewhere, the Edmonton International Airport welcomed 8.14 million passengers, while hotels in the region averaged 60% occupancy at $153 per night. \"Edmonton's visitor economy is built by local entrepreneurs, creators, and community builders,\" the agency wrote. \"Supporting tourism means supporting the people and businesses that define Edmonton.\"\n\nEdmonton is on something of a streak in attracting major events. The city was the first outside of Quebec to host Igloofest in March, and will be the second-ever market to host the Boots and Hearts festival on Aug. 28 and 29, both at Fan Park in the ICE District. The same venue will host the first edition of the Neon Skies pop music festival, an original concept from OEG, on July 17 and 18. As for sports, Edmonton has lured the Professional Women's Hockey League for three takeover games in the last two years, most recently on April 7, making it the city to host the most takeover games as the league eyes expansion. The Canadian Wheelchair Basketball League finals are in Edmonton from April 17 to 19, and major rugby matches are coming on July 12 and 18. This is all on top of the Edmonton Oilers ' return to the NHL playoffs, after a run that was said to generate $266.7 million in economic impact last year.\n\nThe Edmonton Chamber of Commerce is hosting a kick-off event on April 17 at Parallèle Alberta, where it will also showcase opportunities for French-speaking Albertans. During Tourism Week proper, Mayor Andrew Knack and civic leaders will proclaim the occasion on April 20 at City Hall, while Explore Edmonton will host a webinar on Edmonton's visitor economy on April 24.","url":"https://edmonton.taproot.news/briefs/2026/04/17/visitor-economy-in-focus-during-tourism-week","imageUrl":null,"publishedAt":"2026-04-17T13:00:00.000Z","sourceLabel":"Taproot Edmonton Arts","tags":[],"authorName":null,"contentHtml":"

Explore Edmonton is highlighting the value of the visitor economy as Canada heads into National Tourism Week from April 20 to 24. The city's economic development agency for tourism reports that visitors spent $2.6 billion in the region last year. Explore Edmonton's own events and venues — the Edmonton Convention Centre and the Edmonton EXPO Centre — delivered $508 million in economic impact that year, a 17-time return on investment. Elsewhere, the Edmonton International Airport welcomed 8.14 million passengers, while hotels in the region averaged 60% occupancy at $153 per night. \"Edmonton's visitor economy is built by local entrepreneurs, creators, and community builders,\" the agency wrote. \"Supporting tourism means supporting the people and businesses that define Edmonton.\"

Edmonton is on something of a streak in attracting major events. The city was the first outside of Quebec to host Igloofest in March, and will be the second-ever market to host the Boots and Hearts festival on Aug. 28 and 29, both at Fan Park in the ICE District. The same venue will host the first edition of the Neon Skies pop music festival, an original concept from OEG, on July 17 and 18. As for sports, Edmonton has lured the Professional Women's Hockey League for three takeover games in the last two years, most recently on April 7, making it the city to host the most takeover games as the league eyes expansion. The Canadian Wheelchair Basketball League finals are in Edmonton from April 17 to 19, and major rugby matches are coming on July 12 and 18. This is all on top of the Edmonton Oilers' return to the NHL playoffs, after a run that was said to generate $266.7 million in economic impact last year.

The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce is hosting a kick-off event on April 17 at Parallèle Alberta, where it will also showcase opportunities for French-speaking Albertans. During Tourism Week proper, Mayor Andrew Knack and civic leaders will proclaim the occasion on April 20 at City Hall, while Explore Edmonton will host a webinar on Edmonton's visitor economy on April 24.

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