Unlocking Accommodation: Demystifying Hotel Development to Attract New Investment 

Date: Wednesday, September 16
Time: 10:40am
Room: Main Ballroom

Speakers:
Johanna Griggs – Executive Director, Tourism Development, Destination Canada

Description: Canada’s visitor economy is on track to reach $178 billion in annual revenue by 2030, creating significant opportunities for communities across the country. But growing demand from business and leisure travellers will only translate into economic growth if communities have the right supply, investment-ready opportunities and partnerships in place.

This session will explore how economic developers can help turn tourism demand into investment, with a focus on accommodation as a key part of Canada’s tourism growth story. Participants will gain a practical understanding of how hotel development works, who to engage, and the distinct roles of brands, owners and operators in moving projects forward.

The session will share approaches and resources to help communities identify opportunities, strengthen their investment positioning and build stronger business cases. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how to navigate the hotel investment ecosystem, engage the right partners and use tools such as the Tourism Investment Hub and Canadian Tourism Data Collective to support long-term economic growth.