Banff Reopens: A New Era for Tourism

Two months after declaring a state of local emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canadian mountain town of Banff has reopened to visitors. Its mayor, Karen Sorenson, assures that the town is ready for social distancing, while encouraging visitors to bring their own masks and sanitizer for added safety.

Discover Banff’s Unique Appeal

Banff, the largest metropolis in the area surrounding Banff National Park, is a charming resort town teeming with boutique shops, nightclubs, museums, and restaurants. With a population of fewer than 10,000 residents, this town developed as a service center for the national park and attracts numerous visitors each year. These visitors are eager to experience not only the natural beauty of the Rockies but also the vibrant local culture, attracting artists and writers alike.

The Road Ahead for Banff

In mid-March, reflecting similar global responses, Banff implemented restrictions on local businesses and organizations, declaring a local state of emergency while limiting the number of visitors in the community. However, with restrictions gradually easing, the town is beginning to return to normal operations, though not all hotels and shops have reopened, and services in Banff National Park will remain unavailable until early June.

Mayor Karen Sorenson noted, “Looking further down the road, more than 50% of our visitors come from outside of Canada. Therefore, while we are welcoming people, it’s going to be a very different Banff this summer. It’s going to look different and it might feel different, but it’s still going to be awe-inspiring.”

Lockdowns are easing globally as the world adjusts to a new normal. Discover how COVID-19 is transforming travel.