Beginning on August 12, Diplomat has been discussing Edmonton’s potential to be a flagship destination for cannabis tourism and hospitality. We’ve done so, by sending our briefing (see below) to our provincial government, tourism organizations, local municipal leaders, Edmonton and area business associations, and regional & provincial chamber associations.
Situated at the intersection between agriculture, health, innovation, and entertainment, cannabis hospitality and tourism is a natural fit for Edmonton’s tourism sector. Building on Edmonton’s existing assets, it brings unique, complementary, and value-added experiences for Edmontonians and visitors alike.
While known colloquially as “Festival City”, Edmonton has a number of advantages:
- The Edmontonian average age is younger than the Canadian average,
- Edmonton is home to the largest expanse of connected urban parkland in Canada, providing ample year-round outdoor activities, and
- Edmonton has the highest per capita spending on cannabis of all Canadian major cities.
The demographic profile of the average Edmonton resident aligns well with the consumer profile of those interested in cannabis tourism. And with nearly 20% of collected cannabis sales revenues in 2021 in the USA connected to cannabis tourism, there is significant opportunity waiting at our fingertips.
ATB Capital Markets estimates 2022 Canadian retail sales may reach upwards of $5 billion CAD. With over 750 retail stores in Alberta now, a large portion of those estimated sales and more can occur right here in Alberta.
Take a look at our briefing below and how we believe Edmonton is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this growing industry. Reach out to us today, to discuss how your business can grow alongside this exciting opportunity.
