What’s Caused Banff’s Tourist Boom?

Across the world there are countless so-called honeypot destinations. Places that attract far more than their fair share of visitors thanks to their particular nature.

Banff is one such place. For somewhere with just 10,000 inhabitants, it’s nothing short of incredible that in 2034/24 4.28 million people descended on the town and the nearby national park. Although the figure fell slightly to 4.23 million the following year this is still a figure that many local residents feel is unsustainable over the longer term.

One of the main concerns is traffic congestion that’s an inevitable by-product of the 6.7 million vehicles that pass through every year, not to mention the environmental impact that the emissions that are generated may have. Vehicle numbers are exacerbated by the fact that the vast majority of visitors are Canadian and arrive in cars and RVs rather than relying on the region’s more than adequate public transport systems.

As tourism is the chief contributor to the economy of Banff the handling of numbers has to be handled sensitively. If overcrowding, particularly in the peak summer season, continues it may discourage visitors. If allowed to rise year after year it will be increasingly intolerable for residents. There is also the distinct risk that the fragile ecosystem of the park may be irreparably damaged by unmanageably high visitor numbers.

But what is it that’s leading to its extreme popularity?

Stunning scenery, plentiful attractions

Obviously, the national park is the key visitor attraction of the region. Where better to hike, bike or walk than surrounded by its stunning scenery? Visitor numbers also saw a huge boost in the post-Covid period when people were once again keen to get out together and enjoy the big outdoors. And having got out of the habit of overseas travel, even if it was by necessity rather than choice, then many Canadians decided this was the time to explore their own country for a change.

Banff’s proximity to Calgary, which is Canada’s fastest-growing city, has definitely also had an effect on tourism numbers with day-trippers accounting for a fair proportion. But many are opting to stay for a longer period and make the most of everything the park has to offer. The Stoney Nakoda Casino near Banff is popular with tourists for its scenic mountain setting, friendly atmosphere, and variety of entertainment options. Visitors enjoy a mix of slot machines, table games, live events, and a welcoming resort experience that reflects local Indigenous culture. Its convenient location along the Trans-Canada Highway makes it a perfect stop for travelers exploring the Rockies. In recent years, the casino has faced growing competition and pressure from the highest payout online casinos in Canada, reviewed at Casino.ca, prompting them to enhance their gaming floor, dining options, and customer service to remain a leading destination in Alberta’s casino scene, and it’s certainly paid off.

More Banff for your buck

While the majority of visitors to the region are Canadian, it’s also a very popular holiday destination for neighbours from south of the border. In recent years the US dollar has been particularly strong against its Canadian equivalent. As a result, many Americans looking for a short break have headed for Banff, made even more attractive by rising prices back at home.

Social media and publicity

While some residents may have reservations about the number of temporary in-comers they do have to agree that they’re very lucky to live in a singularly beautiful part of the country. The sheer photogenic appeal of places like Lakes Louise. Moraine and Peyto mean that they can be found on the Instagram feeds and other social media accounts of thousands and thousands of people.

It’s not just individuals who are out there showing the world the beauties of Banff. The local tourist board also features them in its own social media campaigns along with promotions, short-form videos as well as many link-ups with the ever-growing band of travel influencers.

Other incentives that have undoubtedly contributed to the rise in visitor numbers have been initiatives like the Canada Strong Pass offering free or reduced admission to parks and other attractions not just in Banff but all across the country.

What’s to be done

So, as you can see, there’s a very delicate balancing act for the authorities of Banff who obviously don’t want to kill the goose that lays the golden egg, namely the $3.1 billion dollars that tourism is said to bring in every year. But they do want to bring the situation under control.

This has meant that a number of visitor-management strategies have either been introduced or are currently in the pipeline. A key one of these has been a widespread publicity campaign aimed at encouraging would-be visitors to both plan ahead and to use public transport whenever possible.

To avoid excessive vehicle overcrowding in the park itself various shuttle services are now operating. These travel to and from specific places of interest and there are plans to continue expanding the network. In order to avoid overcrowding there are now an increasing number places that only allow timed entry that must be booked in advance. Not only does this keep the number of visitors at a manageable level, it also makes their visits themselves more relaxed and enjoyable.