While Canmore is used to hosting events that have wide-ranging interest, from as far back as the 1988 Olympics, the upcoming weeks will certainly add to the town’s international profile.
And, much like the successful Alberta Winter Games co-hosted by Canmore and Banff, world cups for both biathlon and cross-country skiing, combined with Canmore’s winter festival (page 9), will certainly have the town hopping.
In the case of the world cups, success will be defined by not only how well Canadians do on the international stage, but also in how hosting the events will benefit the community and local tourism industry.
Timing for these world cups (biathlon, Feb. 1-7 and cross-country, March 8-12) couldn’t be better as, unlike much of Europe, there is snow at the Canmore Nordic Centre. The lack thereof on the other side of the pond means many ski teams have already landed in our valley to get in some pre-competition training.
Further, while the fall in the price of oil has certainly caused economic hardship in Alberta, as highlighted ad nauseum by mainstream media, low gasoline prices have produced a boost in tourism by attracting rubber tire traffic visitors across the country.
A weak dollar and low gas prices in Canada has meant increased numbers of Americans driving across the 49th parallel to shop and tour. With world cups and a winter festival approaching, many of those will find their way into the valley. And, as with the aforementioned Alberta Winter Games, a positive tourism experience over the next few weeks could result in many return visits in the future.
Banff tourism numbers have certainly been on the rise, as witnessed by an 8.2 per cent overall increase over 2015; there was a 12.7 boost in November, 2015 alone.
In fact, with oil in turmoil, provincial Tourism Minister David Eggen recently pointed out that tourism is critical to this province’s success, especially when it comes to creating jobs in the short term and diversifying the economy.
Diversifying the economy?
On this same page, numerous times over the years, we’ve suggested the time to diversify Alberta’s economy beyond the volatile pricing world of oil and gas is past. Way past. This province, through 40-plus years of Conservative rule, seemed to never stray from its belief that the big business of oil and gas was the lifeblood of our province; to the exclusion of all else.
Through numerous cycles of boom and bust, oil remained the main focus for successive governments and now that we’re in a bust cycle once again, it’s time to allow the idea of diversification to bloom.
But in the meantime, it’s time to take advantage of another round of the dark days of oil and embrace whatever bright spot is being afforded through the subsequent increase in tourism. Tourism is the lifeblood for Banff and Canmore, after all, and events like these world cups, along with annual events like winter festivals, keep this valley fuelled and alive.
To quote Eggen, “Tourism is a bright light in our economy, with the most recent numbers from the Alberta Market Monitor showing an increase in visitation, up more than 15 per cent in our national parks and more than six per cent at our historic sites and museums.”
To everyone arriving in town over the next couple of months – welcome to our world cups and the Bow Valley.
