Calgary hotels near capacity, ticket sales exceed 2019 levels as Stampede preps to open

Helmut Schoderbock, co-owner of the Inglewood Bed & Breakfast, is as busy as he wants to be during Calgary Stampede season. 

"It's a nice business, to have the entertainment come to you," Schoderbock said.

Business picked up for Schoderbock last year after a tough time amid the COVID-19 pandemic — and this year is looking packed.

Across the city, projections suggest at least a 10-year record for occupancy for hotels as of the end of May, according to the Calgary Hotel Association.

"It's going to be tough to book a hotel room for the month of July," said Calgary Hotel Association executive director Sol Zia, who added the record could even stretch back 20 years.

Many people booked in advance this year. Occupancy rates are on track for more than 90 per cent over the 10-plus days of Stampede.

The record is projected with the addition of a few thousand extra hotel rooms added to the supply since the last record was set around 2011, Zia noted. 

It might be unwelcome news for travellers who have dragged their feet, but it's good news for a summer festival that was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Stampede was cancelled for the first time in 100 years at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The organization lost $26.5 million and laid off 90 per cent of its employees.

The event returned at about half-capacity in 2021 and ended up reporting a $8.3 million loss. 

Fortunes began to reverse last year, when the Stampede saw its fourth-largest attendance in history and posted positive operating results of $13.8 million.

Speaking Tuesday during a press event, Stampede officials said they were optimistic that attendance would track closely to last year, in the range of 1.2 million people.

"We have seen really strong support from both our business community as well as consumers," said Shannon Greer, manager of communications and media relations for the Calgary Stampede.

"I can say that, right now, tickets for the rodeo and the evening show are actually exceeding 2019 levels."