Canada’s Alberta Is Courting Gulf Investment — Not Just Gulf Tourists

Photo Credit: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Alberta. Travel Alberta Travel Alberta is chasing two things from the Gulf at once: high-spending leisure travelers and the capital and expertise to build niche resorts and attractions it currently lacks. Etihad launches direct Abu Dhabi-Calgary service next month, four times weekly. Jon Mamela, chief commercial officer of Travel Alberta, said the airline is “placing a significant bet on Alberta,” meaning “inherent interest and demand in the market” already exists. Because of the flight distance of roughly 13 hours from Abu Dhabi, Mamela suggests a minimum stay of seven days — ideally 10 to 14 — which is expected to push spend well above average. “Our top source market spend is probably between C$1,100 and C$2,200 [$785 and $1,571] per person for a length of stay of five to 11 days, excluding airfare,” he said. “A GCC guest looking for an upsca