Alberta's Tourism Boom Requires More Protected Land, Not Less
Albertans have a deep affection for their majestic mountains, which draw millions of visitors annually to the province. However, this tourism surge should not come at the expense of the natural landscapes that make Alberta so attractive. Instead, it must drive increased efforts to protect and preserve these vital areas for future generations.
Clean water, thriving wildlife, and intact ecosystems are not mere luxuries; they form the very foundation of Alberta's identity and its tourism brand. These elements are essential for maintaining a robust economy and a high quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
Aligning Tourism with Conservation Goals
Nature-based tourism has the potential to align seamlessly with Albertans' conservation objectives, provided it is carefully planned and executed. It is imperative that the public's voice is clearly heard when new developments impact the management of publicly held natural spaces.
According to Alberta's Plan for the Parks, the province aims to generate $25 billion in tourism revenue, a figure that surpasses the current $17 billion in oilsands royalties. This highlights the significant economic potential of the tourism sector, making it a major business opportunity for the region.
Sustainable Management for Future Success
Managing tourism in a way that protects healthy, thriving ecosystems is the cornerstone of preserving the integrity of existing parks and ensuring the success of future conservation initiatives. Anchoring future all-season resort areas (ASRA) to newly established protected zones is the most effective strategy to guarantee the viability of new tourism opportunities.
Former Premier Peter Lougheed understood this principle when he envisioned Kananaskis Country. Today, we can emulate this approach by adding new protected areas to support sustainable development.
Building Public Trust Through Science and Consultation
If all-season resorts are to be integrated into a strong management framework, the province must prioritize the creation of more protected areas. This will support distributed nature-based tourism and ensure that ASRAs are developed in locations that are sensible for both people and wildlife, thereby fostering public trust and optimism around nature-based tourism development.
To achieve this, ASRA designations require a transparent process with high environmental, consultative, and public engagement standards. This ensures that resorts are built in areas capable of sustaining them without degrading the natural environments they depend on, and where they can contribute positively to the public good.
The provincial government should lead by utilizing scientific research, public consultation, and traditional knowledge to determine the scope and scale of each new ASRA. This should occur before inviting proposals from private industry to bid on well-defined opportunities.
Ensuring Sustainable Growth and Community Benefits
These measures will help ensure that the tourism economy grows sustainably in areas that will benefit from it—where it incentivizes conservation, creates employment opportunities, and aligns with community needs. This approach avoids concentrating development in locations already struggling with over-tourism, such as Kananaskis and the Bow Valley.
Pre-scoping future opportunities also provides developers with clear boundaries to work within, helping them understand the scale of what is being offered for the duration of leasehold agreements. This structured planning promotes responsible development that balances economic interests with environmental stewardship.
