Town of Banff

Heritage Tourism Strategy

Teepee at Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum, Banff Photo courtesy of Banff Lake Louise Tourism

The objectives of the Banff Bow Valley Heritage Tourism Strategy are:

1. to make all visitors and residents of Banff National Park and the Town of Banff aware they are in a national park and World Heritage Site by actively fostering appreciation and understanding of the nature, history and culture of Banff National Park, the Town of Banff and surrounding areas;
2. to encourage, develop and promote opportunities, products and services consistent with heritage and environmental values;
3. to encourage environmental stewardship initiatives upon which sustainable heritage tourism depends;
4. to strengthen employee orientation, training and accreditation programming as it relates to sharing heritage understanding with visitors.

• Banff Bow Valley Heritage Tourism Strategy ( PDF - 330 kb)

What is the Heritage Tourism Strategy?

The primary aim of this strategy is to sustain Banff as a tourism destination by preserving and celebrating the beauty and ecological integrity of the park and surrounding areas. Powerful and memorable positive heritage experiences offered to visitors will contribute to our reputation as one of the world’s most unique and environmentally sound tourism destinations.

The Heritage Tourism Strategy complements the Park Management Plan, the Banff Community Plan, and the Lake Louise Community Plan by working to sustain the health of the tourism industry within the national park context. The Heritage Tourism Strategy supports a view of Banff that focuses specifically on heritage values compatible with landscape and heritage appreciation. The Heritage Tourism Strategy assures that the objectives of the Banff National Park tourism industry are consistent with changing ecological circumstances in the park.

The strategy is based on the fact that Banff has something that is becoming rarer and more valuable in the world - an authentic culture grounded in nature. It is the aim of the strategy to ensure that the natural character of the park remains its chief distinction as a tourism destination. Though it affects the form and content of tourism advertising, the Heritage Tourism Strategy is more than a marketing initiative.

We believe there is an intrinsic value to the natural and cultural heritage of this region and that heritage is in and of itself worthy of preservation and commemoration and celebration.

Our tourism industry has a responsibility to help visitors understand, appreciate and respect our natural and cultural heritage so they can contribute to its preservation.

More information:
Grant Canning
Banff Heritage Tourism Corporation
T: 403.762.7610