Alberta’s New Stream for Tourism and Hospitality Workers

Manmeet Kaur
[Published 20 Feb, 2024 | 06:10 AM]
About Author - 6 min read
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If you have work experience in tourism and hospitality, there is great news for you!

On March 1, 2024, Alberta is launching a new Tourism and Hospitality stream under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). Candidates with a full-time job offer from an eligible employer in Alberta can apply for this new stream. However, limited applications will be accepted.

The launch of the Tourism and Hospitality stream is to meet the labour gaps in the province’s tourism and hospitality industry and strengthen the economy.

Work in Alberta. Check Eligibility Now.

Who is eligible?

Here are the eligibility requirements to apply for AAIP’s Tourism and Hospitality stream:

• You must have at least six months of work experience in a relevant industry.
• You must have a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from an employer in Alberta within the industry.
• You must be already established in Alberta.

Further details about the eligibility criteria and how to apply will be released when AAIP starts accepting applications on March 1, 2024.

Rapid Growth of Alberta’s Tourism and Hospitality Sector

Alberta is one of the top Canadian provinces where people visit from around the world. This has resulted in more job creation and economic growth in the province. The rural areas and communities outside large urban centres benefit the most from this.

In terms of tourism spending, there’s a huge difference before and after the pandemic. In 2022, Alberta welcomed 32 million people - which supported more than 80,000 full-time time equivalent jobs - recording $10.7 billion in tourism spending. This represented an increase of $600 million from 2019 levels.

The speedy growth has put Alberta’s tourism and hospitality industry back on track. With the launch of a new immigration stream, the province wants to retain experienced skilled workers to relieve labour challenges.

Here’s what officials in Canada said:

 “The future of Alberta’s visitor economy depends on a thriving tourism and hospitality sector being able to meet the increasing demands of visitor traffic throughout the province. We’ve listened to stakeholders as they’ve shared concerns about the persistent labour shortages within their industry, and this new stream is a direct response to those challenges.” - Muhammad Yaseen, Minister of Immigration and Multiculturalism.

“Alberta’s tourism and hospitality sector is a significant employer and contributor to the province’s economic well-being. With the government’s commitment to more than double the value of Alberta’s visitor economy, the new Tourism Hospitality Stream of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program is an foundational element to ensuring the province develops a year-round tourism labour force that assists with the development of new tourism products and services that global travellers are seeking.” - Darren Reeder, president and chief executive officer, Tourism Industry Association of Alberta.

“The tourism and hospitality immigration stream will open up new opportunities across the province while attracting skilled workers to well-paying jobs that will support their families. As Alberta’s visitor economy continues to thrive, we must supply our tourism and destination operators with the workforce they need for success.” - Joseph Schow, Minister of Tourism and Sport.

 “The AHLA welcomes the creation of a dedicated immigration stream for Alberta’s tourism and hospitality industry. While Canadians continue to respond to Alberta’s call, our member hotels are still experiencing acute labour shortages in their teams. By helping hotels attract and retain the skilled staff they need, this stream will help Alberta hotels deliver a better experience to our guests and strengthen the provincial tourism economy.” - Tracy Douglas-Blowers, president and chief executive officer, Alberta Hotel & Lodging Association.

 "Alberta restaurants face the highest job vacancy rate of any sector at nine per cent, nearly double the province's average of five per cent. Labour shortages have hindered their post-pandemic recovery. We thank the Alberta government for helping to address these concerns through the dedicated Tourism and Hospitality Stream, offering support to revitalize restaurants and help them access the labour they need to thrive in their communities." - Mark von Schellwitz, vice-president, Western Canada, Restaurants Canada.

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Pathways to Immigrate to Canada

If you wish to settle in Alberta, you can apply for a Canada PR visa from India through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP).

If you are a skilled worker, Alberta offers:

• Alberta Opportunity Stream
• Alberta Express Entry Stream 
• Rural Renewal Stream

If you are an entrepreneur, Alberta offers:

• Rural Entrepreneur Stream
• Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
• Farm Stream
• Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

Note that the eligibility criteria, the application process, and requirements will vary for each of these above-mentioned streams. Check the same before applying.

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11% of Canada’s tourism-related businesses are established in Alberta.

In 2023, Alberta welcomed 9,750 newcomers through AAIP. With the new federal Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026, 110,000 newcomers are targeted through the PNP by the end of 2024.

You could be one of them!

Need help? Talk to the best immigration consultants in India, Nationwide Visas. A team of qualified and experienced immigration consultants will accurately evaluate your case and provide the best solutions for you to make a well-informed decision.

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