Industry.

WELCOMING THE WORLD TO CALGARY

In the summer of 2019 the industry sold more hotel rooms than ever in the history of Calgary. We’re setting new standards for tourism marketing. Together with our partners in 2019, we secured nearly 3.4 million room nights accommodating the majority of Calgary’s tourists. We’ve supported 67 sport, culture and major events, and secured 63 future conferences (including four city-wide conventions). 2019 was energetic as we hosted the CFL Grey Cup and the Canadian Country Music Awards among other meetings, conventions and events. As partners in elevating Calgary’s hospitality and travel industry on the world stage, we are looking forward to a bright future. 

Calgary's Hub.

COLLABORATIVE ECONOMICS

Hotels are the hub of Calgary’s tourism and hospitality network and tourism is the lifeline of the hotel industry. Tourism attraction happens through a collaborative of city organizations. Our partners include Tourism Calgary, Meetings and Conventions Calgary, Calgary Economic Development, Calgary Arts Development, Travel Alberta, Alberta Hotel & Lodging Association, Calgary Attractions, Calgary Sport & Major Events, WinSport, Calgary Stampede, and Calgary TELUS Convention Centre.

The Calgary hotel sector is dynamic and growing, with nearly $600 million in new hotel development in the last five years. Even though business travel has reduced during Calgary’s ongoing economic downturn and many hotels were operating on average at 60 percent capacity in 2019, Calgary’s continual growth and diligence is projecting a positive future. Attracting leisure travelers to Calgary is increasingly more important to the hotel industry, and the CHA is continuously working with partners to find new ways to attract these travelers to our city. 

Advocacy & Industry Issues

Destination Marketing

Marketing Calgary as a world-class tourist destination requires strong partnerships and sustained investment. Since 2005, the Calgary Hotel Association (CHA) has invested over $150 million through its Destination Marketing Fund (DMF) to promote Calgary to global and domestic markets. This fund is supported by nearly 60 hotels, representing about 70% of Calgary’s rooms, which voluntarily contribute 6% of gross room revenue — up from 3% in 2025. Like airport improvement fees, the DMF is common in tourism-focused cities across North America and is not government-mandated.

The majority of DMF funds are directed to Tourism Calgary and Meetings & Conventions Calgary, supporting strategic marketing campaigns, event attraction, and visitor engagement. Remaining funds support festivals, cultural programs, and destination-building initiatives.

The DMF delivers strong returns by attracting major conferences, sporting events, and festivals that boost hotel stays and drive spending at Calgary’s restaurants, shops, and attractions. By promoting year-round tourism, the fund supports over 8,000 local jobs and stabilizes seasonal demand.

High-profile events like the Grey Cup and Juno Awards, enabled in part by DMF funding, have raised Calgary’s profile and media exposure, helping the city compete with top Canadian destinations. This reputation boost strengthens business attraction and talent recruitment, showing Calgary as a vibrant city where people want to live, work, and visit.

The CHA also advocates for the hospitality sector, working with the government to address key issues like property taxation and infrastructure funding. In 2023–2024, the CHA successfully partnered with the City of Calgary to moderate hotel property tax increases, reducing assessments from 40% to approximately 13%.

The results are measurable: for every $1 invested through the DMF, at least $40 is returned to the local economy in visitor spending. With Calgary’s expanding infrastructure, including the new Scotia Place and expanded BMO Centre, the city is poised to compete for larger international events, unlocking even greater economic opportunities.

The Destination Marketing Fund is more than just an investment; it is a strategic engine for Calgary’s long-term tourism success, economic growth, and global reputation.

Home-sharing services

We believe in consumer choice. We all have a role to play in providing the public with accommodation options. We also believe that it’s important to apply a level playing field to all competing industries. Home-sharing services should be expected to have a business license, pay taxes, and adhere to common rules of regulation. Through a level playing field, we can compete for consumers in a way that’s fair. We’re also willing to share our best-practices know-how to home-sharing individuals to help them provide higher quality customer service. By working together, we can create an even stronger tourism ecosystem and live up to our collective identity as the Ultimate Host City.