Responsible Tourism

Our Approach to Sustainability

Banff National Park is one of Canada's most treasured natural places. The landscapes, wildlife, and communities that make this destination so special are protected through the shared efforts of visitors, residents, businesses, and Parks Canada.

Park Mode is the best way to experience Banff National Park. It's about slowing down, tuning in, and making thoughtful choices that help protect the park while creating a deeper connection to the place. Every visitor has a role to play in caring for Banff and Lake Louise, so future generations can enjoy it for years to come.

Lead Tourism For Good

Tourism here isn’t just about visiting, it’s about caring. In a place that’s 97% wilderness, every choice we make matters. Lead Tourism for Good is the shared vision guiding tourism in Banff and Lake Louise. Bringing together residents, businesses, Parks Canada, and local organizations to ensure tourism benefits both people and place. It recognizes that protecting this destination is a collective responsibility: destination leaders and partners work to manage growth, reduce environmental impact, and support community wellbeing, while businesses deliver responsible, high-quality visitor experiences. Together, these efforts create the conditions for visitors to enjoy the park in a way that respects its natural beauty and cultural significance, helping ensure it can be enjoyed for generations to come.

What Does This Look Like?

• Developing new and meaningful ways to enjoy this place, and leaving it better than we found it.
• Innovating within the limits of the remaining 3%, because protecting nature is non-negotiable.
• Creating a future where Indigenous Peoples and local businesses thrive.
• Championing an industry that is welcoming, safe, and inclusive for everyone who lives, works, and plays here.

As an iconic destination with millions of visitors, we must work together to address and improve the impact of visitation on the wellbeing of nature, communities, and the park. Ultimately, this will ensure the future quality of the visitor experience and the tourism industry. If you wish to learn more about our member’s sustainability actions, please click here.

Welcome With Purpose

For all familiarization (FAM) tours through Banff & Lake Louise Tourism, the Welcome with Purpose program replaces traditional welcome gifts with something more sustainable and meaningful. A donation is made on behalf of each guest to local community initiatives through the Banff Canmore Foundation. Banff and Lake Louise Tourism contributes a small amount per person on FAMs to a designated fund, such as the Truth and Reconciliation Fund, the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley, Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum, or Rocky Mountain Adaptive.