Wildly Innovative Vision for Wild Nature

Framed under the banner Tourism Together, the 10-year vision for tourism in Banff National Park set out to redefine tourism as a regenerative force – one that contributes meaningfully to the well-being of people and nature, and invites everyone to be part of the change. This collective effort was guided by three core questions: Where are we today? Where could we be? How do we get there? In spite of initial frictions and differences of opinion, community stakeholders quickly realised that "we all love this place and we want to protect it for future generations to experience."

The result is a bold, community-driven vision anchored in five strategic "Trails to Tomorrow" – ranging from climate action and inclusive visitor experiences to Indigenous tourism and smart data infrastructure. The plan offers a roadmap for building a thriving, equitable, and nature-positive visitor economy over the next decade. Among its most innovative aspects are a commitment to open-access data sharing, true-to-place experience design, and co-creation with Indigenous partners. The vision is now a cornerstone for ongoing collaboration across jurisdictions, with biannual progress reviews ensuring accountability and momentum through to 2032 and beyond.

Guiding action, progress, and hope, the vision received the SKIFT Ideas Award in the category "People & Community."