Residents in Banff and Lake Louise now have an opportunity to share their thoughts on how tourism impacts their daily lives through a new community survey. Banff and Lake Louise Tourism is hosting the 10-minute online questionnaire, which remains open until April 27, 2026. Participants who complete the survey are also eligible to enter a draw for ski passes.
This initiative arrives as the community navigates the pressures of record-breaking visitation. Banff National Park saw 4.5 million visitors in the 2025-26 fiscal year, marking a steady increase from the previous high of 4.28 million recorded in the 2023-24 period. This ongoing growth has sparked local discussion regarding the balance between the region’s status as a premier destination and the needs of those who call it home.
Recent data from the Town of Banff highlights the challenges currently facing residents. While 95% of people report that their overall quality of life is good or very good, 34% of residents noted that their quality of life has declined over the past three years. When asked about these concerns, survey respondents cited the cost of living, the impacts of tourism, and general overcrowding as the primary factors.
Housing affordability and availability remains the most significant issue for the community, identified by 46% of residents in recent town surveys. Additionally, feelings of overcrowding have risen noticeably, with the percentage of residents identifying it as a concern tripling from 7% in 2023 to 19% in 2025. These sentiments are being collected to help inform the long-term community vision, which aims to reconcile economic prosperity with environmental and social wellbeing.
The feedback gathered by the tourism organization will be used to better understand local perspectives as the region manages future growth, including the continued interest in visiting the park encouraged by programs like the federal government’s Canada Strong Pass. Residents who wish to provide their input can access the survey through the official research portal.
