Contact Us
Contact Us

EDMH Calls for More Government Consultation as Tourism Levy Increases

Edmonton Destination Marketing Hotels (EDMH) is calling on the Government of Alberta to better support its members and Alberta’s tourism industry in the wake of the recent Budget 2026 decision to increase Alberta’s Tourism Levy to 6% on April 1, 2026.

Alberta’s tourism sector hit a record $15.2 billion in visitor spending in 2025, a glowing example of how the sector continues to be an economic driver for the province. This levy increase means higher costs for hotel owners and their customers, less marketing support, operational challenges, and a less level playing field in an already competitive market.

Our organization–which represents over 50 hotels in the Edmonton Region– is also deeply concerned that the projected $66 million in extra revenue from the levy increase is not earmarked for tourism. It goes to general government revenue instead; with no guarantees it will support our industry and smaller operators who don’t have sales teams or big promotional budgets. Supporting this sector was the original intention of the levy, and we were not consulted before the decision was made.

Since most of our hotels are visited by Albertans, it’s clear this is a tax on citizens that makes life, and travel, less affordable. From hotel owners to sports teams to nonprofits and airlines, this affects everyone.

We are against this increase, but also against the lack of consultation. We’re asking the Government of Alberta to report on how the extra levy money will be used, show how the government will support us as we grapple with increased costs, and take steps to engage with us on current issues affecting our industry–this levy increase being just one of them.

Hotels employ thousands of Albertans, support local communities and events, and grow our economy. We need more support and collaboration to grow this sector together. We look forward to meeting with the Government of Alberta to discuss ways we can better promote Alberta, and grow tourism across the province and in the Edmonton Region.

-The Board and Leadership Team at Edmonton Destination Marketing Hotels

Become an EDMH Member

Position your hotel at the center of Edmonton’s growing tourism momentum and drive revenue and growth for your hotel.

Contact Us

Alycia Benson

Marketing Manager

Alycia Benson is a marketing professional with a background spanning agency work, e-commerce, and destination marketing. She has built campaigns that drive engagement and crafted content that connects audiences to experiences. With experience in social media strategy, event coordination, sponsorships, and brand storytelling, Alycia brings both creativity and structure to the EDMH team. She’s passionate about finding new ways to tell Edmonton’s story, one that inspires people to visit, explore, and stay.

Facebook Twitter Youtube

Trish Greaney

Fractional Director of Operations

Trish Greaney serves as EDMH’s Director of Operations (Fractional), supporting the organization’s internal systems, workflows, and strategic planning processes. A Certified Director of Operations and Certified Online Business Manager, Trish brings over a decade of experience helping organizations streamline their operations and scale with clarity.

Her background spans corporate event management, business operations, and process optimization, which allows her to bring both structure and stability to complex environments. As part of the EDMH leadership team, Trish ensures the organization runs efficiently behind the scenes so that our focus remains on delivering value to our member hotels and partners.

Facebook Twitter Youtube

Angela Boon

Director of Member Services

Angela Boon is the Director of Member Services at EDMH. With over two decades of experience in hospitality sales and revenue management, Angela brings a deep understanding of hotel operations and a genuine passion for supporting Edmonton’s hotel community. Before joining EDMH, she held leadership roles with SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts, Nova Hotels, and West Edmonton Mall Properties, where she built strong industry relationships and delivered measurable results. At EDMH, Angela focuses on strengthening connections with member hotels, developing engagement programs, and helping drive collaboration across Edmonton’s visitor economy.

Facebook Twitter Youtube

Chris Yeung

Executive Director

Chris Yeung is the Executive Director of Edmonton Destination Marketing Hotels (EDMH), bringing more than two decades of experience in business development, strategy, and creative leadership across industries including hospitality, professional services, real estate, and digital media. Prior to joining EDMH, Chris led national business development initiatives at Dentons Canada and founded Lateral Thought Inc., where he helped organizations grow their profile, sharpen their storytelling, and build impactful partnerships.

Facebook Twitter Youtube