A newly formed partnership between Edmonton International Airport (YEG) and Edmonton Destination Marketing Hotels Ltd. (EDMH) will focus on enhancing air service development in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region

• Air service development plays a key role in growing the visitor economy

Edmonton International Airport (YEG) and Edmonton Destination Marketing Hotels Ltd. (EDMH) have formalized a partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will focus on the attraction of new and existing airlines, adding seat capacity and/or new routes to Edmonton. Air service development plays a key role in growing the visitor economy with increased air passenger service to Edmonton and to EDMH member hotels.

“The role that Edmonton International Airport (YEG) plays in growing Edmonton’s tourism industry is vital to our city and our province. Both organizations understand the benefit of the work each does, and how this relationship benefits the entire city. Edmonton Destination Marketing Hotels (EDMH) is proud to partner with YEG and looks forward to attracting regional, national and international visitors to Edmonton,” said Barnie Yerxa, Board Chair, EDMH.

The MOU will share benefits between the two organizations, ensuring that resources are focused on attracting new air service routes and fostering existing ones. The MOU will also serve to support travellers and businesses in the Edmonton Region and offer opportunities for global tourists and companies to explore the region.

“We’re proud to be part of this ecosystem of businesses working to improve the visitor economy in the Edmonton Region. We look forward to working with EDMH and other local organizations that recognize the importance of supporting air service development as a catalyst for attracting new routes and establishing the Edmonton Region as a destination visitors want to explore and do business in,” said Myron Keehn, President & CEO, Edmonton International Airport (YEG).

EDMH is a non-profit hotel membership association in Alberta’s capital city that represents 80 per cent of local hotel rooms. Over the years, EDMH has been funding a number of initiatives in the visitor economy sector. It has formal partnerships with Explore Edmonton and Oilers Entertainment

Group. Formalizing an agreement with Edmonton International Airport is another important milestone in creating dynamic initiatives and opportunities that benefit Edmonton’s tourism ecosystem.

YEG is a self-funded, not-for-profit corporation driving economic prosperity for the Edmonton Metropolitan Region and beyond. With more than 50 non-stop destinations, YEG takes pride in its collaboration with local and industry partners to continually enrich air service expansion and bolster the visitor economy.

Both organizations have been working hard to promote Edmonton as a destination for both business and leisure travellers and look forward to fully recovering from losses in 2025 as a result of the pandemic. As of July 2023, YEG has welcomed nearly 4 million passengers through the airport and is on track to recover passenger numbers by approximately 90 per cent by the end of 2023, compared to 2019 passenger numbers.