Booming Tourism, Worker Shortage in Banff & Canmore

Bow Valleys Tourism Boom: A Scramble for Workers

The Bow Valleys tourism scene is gearing up for summer, but employers are facing a significant challenge: a shortage of workers. A recent job fair in Canmore saw record interest, with thirty-two positions filled and over five hundred more jobs in housekeeping, food service, sales, and outdoor roles left unfilled. Applications are down two months before peak season, leaving operators scrambling to find staff.

Tourism is booming in the region, with Banff National Park welcoming over four million five hundred thousand visitors last year and Kananaskis topping five million annually. Some operators are even doubling their staff to handle full capacity and increased crowds.

The shift is noticeable, with just twenty employers at the job fair two years ago, compared to the thirty-two this year. New players are entering the market early, and foreign workers from Australia and the U.K. are usually relied upon, but their arrival is uncertain.

Housing is another major issue, with sky-high rents forcing young staff to live in cars or campers behind breweries. Banff is breaking ground on ninety new units near the Bow River, seventy-five of which will be affordable, while Canmore is considering a livability tax on part-time out-of-province owners to fund more homes. These mountain spots must balance the boom without pricing out the workforce.

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