Every year, more than seven million international travellers connect through Calgary without ever leaving the airport. Tourism Calgary and WestJet hope to change that. On Wednesday, the two organizations launched the Calgary Stopover Program, giving travellers on eligible WestJet routes the opportunity to add a Calgary visit.
Developed with support from YYC Calgary International Airport and the Calgary Hotel Association, the program includes 19 exclusive hotel offers and access to the Calgary Attractions Pass.
In Q1 2026, international passenger volumes at YYC grew 9.6% year-over-year in the same period. The heady stats built on a record-breaking 2025 that saw more than 10.5 million visitors generate $3.3 billion in visitor spending.
The Calgary Stopover Program is designed to build on that momentum by converting more connecting passengers into overnight visitors.
In addition to the exclusive hotel offers, stopover visitors also receive access to the Calgary Attractions Pass, which provides deals and discounts at participating Calgary attractions.
“Millions of travellers already pass through Calgary every year, and this program creates a simple way for them to experience our city rather than just connect through it,” said Alisha Reynolds, President and CEO of Tourism Calgary.
“Whether visitors are exploring our vibrant neighbourhoods, enjoying our culinary scene, discovering local attractions, or using Calgary as a gateway to the Canadian Rockies, the Calgary Stopover Program helps convert existing air traffic into meaningful economic impact for local businesses and communities. It is an important step toward our goal of doubling visitor spending to $6 billion by 2035,” she continued.
The Calgary Stopover Program is structured as a pilot, with the goal of expanding access to more routes and markets over time. It will initially target UK travellers, leveraging WestJet’s year-round service from London Heathrow and seasonal service from Edinburgh. Travellers can book their entire journey, including a Calgary stopover, as a single reservation through WestJet’s multi-city booking tool, making it as straightforward to plan as it is to enjoy. Additionally, WestJet guests arriving from London Heathrow and Edinburgh choosing to stay in Calgary can add the stopover at no additional cost, for up to seven days after arriving in YYC.
“Calgary is at the heart of WestJet’s global hub strategy and proudly serves as a primary gateway for international visitors to our hometown city,” said Steve McClelland, WestJet VP, Partnership and Loyalty. “The Calgary Stopover program delivers tangible benefits to local businesses and is a true testament to the strength in collaborating with local partners that share the same passion for sharing Calgary’s beautiful scenery, amazing food scene and vibrant culture.”
Full program details, hotel offers, and itinerary inspiration are available at visitcalgary.com/stopover.
If you enjoyed or found this story useful, we’d appreciate if you would forward it to a colleague or friend who may also enjoy it. If, on the other hand, a friend shared it with you, welcome! You can get all the latest travel news and reviews from Travel Industry by simply clicking HERE.