Air travellers with layovers in Calgary offered new incentives to stay

Tourism Calgary and WestJet launch an initiative to encourage travellers to explore the city.

Tourism Calgary and WestJet are teaming up to encourage international travellers with layovers in Calgary to stay for a night or two before continuing on to their intended destination.

The new Calgary Stopover Program is aimed specifically at UK travellers because of WestJet’s year-round service from London Heathrow and seasonal service from Edinburgh.

WestJet says people coming from London Heathrow and Edinburgh who choose to stay in Calgary can add their stopover at no additional cost for up to seven days after arriving.

• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

Travellers can also book their entire journey, including their Calgary stopover, as a single reservation through WestJet’s multi-city booking tool.

Offers from 19 hotels are included in the program – as well as discounted access to some of the city’s top tourist spots from the Calgary Attractions Pass.

Tourism Calgary says the Calgary Stopover Program, developed with support from the YYC Calgary International Airport and the Calgary Hotel Association, is focussed on the seven million international travellers stop in Calgary without ever leaving the airport.

“This program creates a simple way for them to experience our city rather than just connect through it,” said Alisha Reynolds, Tourism Calgary president and CEO.

“Whether visitors are exploring our vibrant neighbourhoods, enjoying our culinary scene, discovering local attractions or using Calgary as a gateway to the Canadian Rockies, the Calgary Stopover Program helps convert existing air traffic into meaningful economic impact for local businesses and communities.”

For now, the Calgary Stopover Program is a pilot, though officials say the goal is to expand it to more routes and markets over time,

“The Calgary Stopover program delivers tangible benefits to local businesses, and is a true testament to the strength in collaborating with local partners that share the same passion for sharing Calgary’s beautiful scenery, amazing food scene and vibrant culture,” said Steve McClelland, WestJet’s vice-president of Partnership and Loyalty.

For full details on the program, you can visit Tourism Calgary’s website.