Competition Bureau drops inquiry into American attraction dominance in Banff and Jasper

The Jasper SkyTram overlooking Jasper National Park in an undated photo. (Courtesy: Sundog Tours)

Canada’s Competition Bureau has dropped its probe into an American company’s dominance of the Banff and Jasper sightseeing industries.

Last summer, operators at Norquay, Lake Louise and Banff Sunshine filed a complaint against Arizona-based Viad Corp.

At the time, they accused Viad and its subsidiary Pursuit of monopolistic practices after acquiring the Jasper SkyTram.

The purchase brought the company’s share of the area’s so-called “prime paid” tourist attractions to six of nine: it also operates the Banff Gondola at Sulphur Mountain, the Columbia Icefield Skywalk, the Columbia Icefield Adventure, the Lake Minnewanka Cruise and Jasper’s Maligne Lake Cruise.

Further, Viad owns the bus line Brewster Express—which transports thousands of tourists every day throughout the two national parks and their main sights—and 10 local hotels, including Banff’s Mount Royal and Elk and Avenue.

After the SkyTram purchase, competitors told CTV News Viad should be forced to sell off assets to increase consumer choice in the area.

But this spring, the Competition Bureau of Canada sent Norquay Ski and Sightseeing Resort’s Adam Waterous a note saying its investigation had come back clear.

“Based on the information obtained by the Bureau,” the letter reads, “it does not appear the acquisition has resulted in or is likely to result in a substantial lessening or prevention of competition.”

“The commissioner has discontinued the inquiry.”