Together for Tomorrow: Collaborative Actions Toward Progress and Preservation in Banff and Lake Louise

Every community member in Banff and Lake Louise weaves a vital thread into the social and economic fabric of this remarkable destination, as diverse and vibrant as the landscape. From frontline concierges sharing the tips for exploring the national park responsibly, to wildlife biologists studying how to ensure local habitats and populations can thrive – we all play a role in sustainable progress and preservation. Each of us has something valuable to contribute. We cab each draw from our personal experiences, resources, and networks to ignite meaningful change.

“We’re facing challenges we’ve never encountered before, but we also have an incredible opportunity to shape what’s next,” says Melanie Kwong, Executive Director at Parks Canada. “It’s a moment in history where we hope people will look back and say, ‘Wow, they were on the right track.’”

Across Banff and Lake Louise, passionate individuals and organizations are turning the vision for tourism called “Lead Tourism for Good”, into tangible actions, both big and small. Industry leaders such as SkiBig3 have prioritized environmental sustainability in their operations, while the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel has introduced innovative technology in its kitchens to tackle food waste. Smaller businesses, like Banff Tea Co., contribute in their own thoughtful ways—using tea bags made from rice paper and transporting products with e-bikes during the warmer months, and an electric vehicle throughout the colder ones. These seemingly minor efforts add up. When adopted collectively, they form a powerful movement that safeguards what we all cherish about living and working in a national park.

While the collective vision remains clear, the paths individuals and businesses take to achieve it are as unique as the community itself. Regardless of your career path, background, or position, every perspective matters and every contribution makes a difference in bringing forth long lasting change.

“We’re a beacon of optimism for those who believe in community and in achieving things together that we can’t do alone,” says Laurie Edward,Executive Director at the Banff CanmoreFoundation. “Locals really want to share an experience of respecting this place. They want to help people experience it, and they want that to feel appropriately respectful and meaningful.”

Now is the time to step forward and join the journey to bringthe vision for tourism to life. Inspiration for a brighter path forward can spark at any moment, whether on your morning commute, on a weekend hike or cross-country ski, or simply while standing in line at your favourite localcoffee shop. No matter the source of inspiration, your ideas and creativity matter.

“It’s better to have momentum and be doing something that isn’t perfect but is better than it was, than not be doing anything at all,” reflects Luke Sunderland,CEO at Arctos & Bird.

Get involved in Lead Tourism for Good. Together, we can preserve the extraordinary beauty of this place and shape a shared, sustainable future where both the natural world and our community thrive.

The video below shares the story of collaboration between the tourism sector, the Town of Banff, Parks Canada, and more than 2,000 community members to create Lead Tourism for Good.