Tourism Calgary lays off 60% of team due to coronavirus pandemic

Calgary’s tourism industry has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A release from Tourism Calgary states that 66% of workers within the industry have been temporarily laid off, including 60% of Tourism Calgary’s own team.

The workers who remain will be receiving reduced compensation and hours, a release states.

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“Today’s decisions were very difficult,” said Cindy Ady, CEO of Tourism Calgary, in the release.

“Our entire industry is being severely impacted by the effects of this pandemic, however, we are retaining a core team to support our industry partners and to plan for recovery so we can rebuild Calgary’s $2 billion annual visitor economy in a responsible and prudent way, when the time is appropriate.”

The release also noted that Tourism Calgary’s primary funder, the Calgary Hotel Association, has been significantly impacted as a result of the coronavirus.

Tourism Calgary’s temporary layoffs will be effective early next month.