Tourism Calgary, WestJet unveil stopover program for UK visitors

Tourism Calgary and WestJet have launched a new initiative designed to encourage international visitors to extend their time in Calgary during a connecting trip.

The Calgary Stopover Program, announced Wednesday (June 10), targets travellers from the United Kingdom, leveraging WestJet’s year-round flights from London Heathrow and seasonal service from Edinburgh.

Under the program, passengers flying from either London Heathrow or Edinburgh can include a stopover in Calgary for up to seven days at no extra airfare cost before continuing to their final destination, according to WestJet.

Every year, more than seven million international travellers connect through Calgary “without ever leaving the airport,” reads a press release. “Tourism Calgary and WestJet are changing that.”

The initiative, developed with support from YYC Calgary International Airport and the Calgary Hotel Association, giving travellers on eligible WestJet routes the opportunity to add a Calgary visit, including 19 exclusive hotel offers and access to the Calgary Attractions Pass.

Global interest in visiting Calgary continues to grow, the two organizations say.

International visitor spending grew 15.6 per cent year-over-year in Q1 2026, while international passenger volumes at YYC also grew 9.6 per cent year-over-year in the same period.

This builds on a record-breaking 2025 that saw more than 10.5 million visitors generate $3.3 billion in visitor spending.

The Calgary Stopover Program is designed to build on that momentum by converting more connecting passengers into overnight visitors.

“Millions of travellers already pass through Calgary every year, and this program creates a simple way for them to experience our city rather than just connect through it,” said Alisha Reynolds, president and CEO of Tourism Calgary, in a statement.

“Whether visitors are exploring our vibrant neighbourhoods, enjoying our culinary scene, discovering local attractions, or using Calgary as a gateway to the Canadian Rockies, the Calgary Stopover Program helps convert existing air traffic into meaningful economic impact for local businesses and communities. It is an important step toward our goal of doubling visitor spending to $6 billion by 2035.

Expansion plans

The program is structured as a pilot, with the goal of expanding access to more routes and markets over time, WestJet says.

It will initially target UK travellers, leveraging WestJet's year-round service from London Heathrow and seasonal service from Edinburgh.

Travellers can book a Calgary stopover, as a single reservation, through WestJet’s multi-city booking tool.  

Additionally, WestJet guests arriving from London Heathrow and Edinburgh choosing to stay in Calgary can add the stopover at no additional cost, for up to seven days after arriving in YYC.

”Calgary is at the heart of WestJet’s global hub strategy and proudly serves as a primary gateway for international visitors to our hometown city,” said Steve McClelland, WestJet’s vice-president, partnership and loyalty.

“The Calgary Stopover program delivers tangible benefits to local businesses, and is a true testament to the strength in collaborating with local partners that share the same passion for sharing Calgary’s beautiful scenery, amazing food scene and vibrant culture.”  

Full program details are available here. 

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