The Friendliest City in the World Cannot be Divided by Separatism

By: Alisha Reynolds, President and CEO, Tourism Calgary

In my job as CEO of Tourism Calgary, I get to meet people from all over the world and show them how special our city is. I get to tell them that it’s not really that cold, how amazing our culinary scene is, the right way to wear a cowboy hat, and ask if they know that we’re the sunniest major city in Canada.

They often tell me that Calgarians are the friendliest people they’ve ever met. It’s what has earned us our global reputation for warm and welcoming hospitality — and what recently earned us the accolade of the Friendliest City in the World.

But separatist rhetoric and this upcoming referendum are painting a different picture of our beloved province, and it is putting our hospitality industry and the 84,000 local jobs it creates at risk.

It’s critical that our tourism and hospitality industry voice is clear: We stand with a united Canada. On behalf of Tourism Calgary’s 1,150 partners, I urge Albertans to say no to separatism and vote to stay in Canada.

Our Blue Sky City is one of limitless possibilities, opportunities and diversity. It’s what attracts visitors, businesses, and investment to our province and opens the doors to entrepreneurship.

Tourism is one of Alberta’s fastest growing industries, generating $15.2 billion in visitor spending last year alone, with Calgary generating $3.3 billion, directly into local, Calgary businesses. And this is just the beginning: The growth in the visitor economy is expected to double by 2035.

But Alberta and Calgary need certainty in a united Canada to continue to win.

One-third of Calgary’s visitor spending comes from Canadians, and separatist discourse is already affecting future travel consideration with our domestic audiences. Our recent national survey on traveller sentiment showed 28 per cent of respondents saw political uncertainty as a barrier to travel to Calgary.

This is an alarming statistic that shows how the narrative we are creating today impacts traveller’s decisions for tomorrow. And while Calgary has an exceptional line-up of events leading us into the early part of 2027, including the 113th Grey Cup and X Games Calgary, we must continue to be in a position to bid for, and win, some of the most recognizable events in the world.

Canada’s global reputation helps Calgary attract visitors, investment, air access, major events and conventions. Additionally, now more than ever, current geopolitical dynamics position Canada as a top destination to visit and host events.

As it stands today, Calgary has approximately $4 billion in investment opportunity already underway in the hospitality industry. These include new hotels, restaurants, attractions, and transportation corridors, backed by investors who see and believe in Calgary’s momentum. We cannot put those investments and related jobs at risk.

Our place in a united Canada provides the certainty and stability needed to attract investment, grow businesses and create meaningful opportunities for Calgary’s future.

When we asked our partners — a large number that represent small to medium sized businesses — about how the referendum conversation has been impacting them, 83 per cent said that they believe “Alberta separation distracts from more important economic priorities.”

The reality is that our business community is navigating significant headwinds already, from global economic uncertainty to changing trade relationships. We need to weather these storms together as Canadians.

I am proud to work for and alongside the tens of thousands of hospitality workers who welcome the rest of Canada and the world to our doorstep, creating new and stronger relationships that build our reputation as a rising global city. Let’s not undo their good work.

I urge you to closely review the issues covered in this referendum, consider the severe risks of separatism, and plan to cast a vote on October 19.

To my fellow hospitality workers, your resilience and spirit continue to inspire my work and the efforts of Tourism Calgary. Thank you.