Netflix spotlight on Alberta filming locations boosts tourism interest
Alberta’s film and television industry is drawing global attention, with Netflix showcasing 28 filming locations across the province and helping drive tourism interest.
The streaming platform recently highlighted Canadian filming sites tied to popular series, including Can This Love Be Translated? and My Life with the Walter Boys, introducing Alberta’s landscapes to millions of viewers worldwide.
Tourism and Sport Minister Andrew Boitchenko said productions filmed in Alberta act as a gateway for international audiences, encouraging travel while supporting local economies and job creation.
New research from Netflix suggests viewers exposed to Canadian content are twice as likely to consider Canada their top travel destination, reinforcing the growing link between screen exposure and tourism.
To capitalize on that trend, Travel Alberta is promoting filming locations and offering multi-day itineraries tied to productions shot across the province.
Arts, Culture and Status of Women Minister Tanya Fir said the province continues to position itself as a destination for production companies, citing benefits such as job creation, business growth and talent development.
Film and television production also delivers direct economic impact. In 2023, Alberta’s screen sector contributed $1.25 billion to the economy and supported more than 9,000 jobs. Since 2020, the province has supported 380 productions that generated more than $1.6 billion in spending and supported over 15,000 jobs.
More than 60 per cent of Alberta-made projects are filmed or planned for small cities, towns and rural areas, helping spread economic benefits beyond major centres. Rural productions alone have spent nearly $600 million in communities since 2020.
Industry officials say the province’s mix of experienced crews and diverse landscapes — from urban centres to mountains and prairie — continues to attract global productions.
The province aims to build on that momentum as part of its goal to reach $25 billion in annual visitor spending by 2035.