Calgary stopover program aims to entice international travellers to extend stay
Posted Jun 11, 2026 10:51 am.
Last Updated Jun 11, 2026 11:13 am.
Calgary’s tourism, airline, airport, and hotel sectors have launched a new initiative designed to turn quick layovers into longer visits, offering international travellers the chance to spend up to a week in the city at no extra flight cost.
The Calgary Stopover Program, a collaboration between WestJet, the Calgary Airport, Tourism Calgary, and the Calgary Hotel Association, encourages passengers booking multi‑city itineraries to “put Calgary in the middle,” giving them time to explore the city’s culture, attractions, and neighbourhoods before continuing their journey.
Officials say the program is the first of its kind in Canada and is modelled after successful stopover programs in Iceland, Panama, and Singapore.
Tourism Calgary CEO Alisha Reynolds says the initiative is meant to reframe Calgary as more than a brief connection point.
“It’s an invitation to experience Calgary,” she says. “Not just as a quick stop between flights, but as a place where they can experience diversity, culture and adventure where there’s lots to see and do.”
WestJet vice‑president of partnership and loyalty Steve McClelland says the goal is to build a relationship between travellers and the city.
“They turn a connection into a visit, and hopefully a first visit into a return visit,” says McClelland.
The Calgary Hotel Association is offering 19 exclusive hotel deals for travellers on eligible WestJet flights, and Tourism Calgary is adding the Calgary Attraction Pass, which provides discounts at destinations across the city.
“Over half a million passengers were en route through our airport to destinations in Europe or Asia last year,” says Calgary Airport Authority director of air service Chris Hedlin. “If we can convert just a small percentage of these connection passengers to local visitors, we can drive significant hotel nights, attraction spend, and economic benefit to our region.”
Reynolds says the stopover program launches as a pilot and will evolve based on feedback from partners and the community.
