G7 Summit could kick off record-setting summer for tourism in Calgary

Calgary's skyline is seen in this undated image. (Pexels)

After a slower start to the year for tourism, Calgary could be in for a record-setting summer on the back of the G7 Summit, the Calgary Stampede and other events.

With the G7 Summit expected to bring 10,000-plus hotel room night bookings to Calgary, Tourism Calgary said it is expecting 2025 to be “one of the busiest summers on record” for visitation.

“The first part of the year, the tourism industry has seen effects from geopolitical issues putting pressure on domestic and international travel,” said Alisha Reynolds, Calgary Tourism’s president and CEO.

“However, while there may still be some volatility ahead, the next few months look strong – with hotel bookings for Stampede pacing ahead of 2024 in most areas of the city. We remain positive that consumer confidence will rebound as we head into the amazingly busy summer months for Calgary.”

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The G7 Summit, scheduled for June 15-17 in Kananaskis, will bring 5,000 people to the region to participate in meetings, along with thousands of journalists, security personnel and government employees.

Following the summit, the 2025 Rotary International Convention will also be in town from June 21-25, before the Calgary Stampede kicks off on July 4.

The Rotary convention is expecting to host over 15,000 delegates from more than 120 different countries in Calgary and bring in more than $81 million to the local economy.

“With the opening of the expanded BMO Convention Centre last year, we now have the ability to host more, and larger, conventions throughout the year, providing a significant boost to Calgary’s economy year-round and to the many local businesses who rely on visitors to help them thrive,” Reynolds said.

A recent report from the Mastercard Economic Institute showed Calgary is also among the top six emerging travel destinations for Canada and U.S. residents in summer 2025.

The report also listed Banff as Canada’s top municipality on its “foodie list,” which analyzes “cross-border spending at eating places to identify the most globalized foodie cities.”