Imagine this: in the heart of the Alberta Badlands, just an hour and a half from Calgary, the sun rises across ancient landscapes while visitors from around the globe stretch their arms, awakening in luxurious glamping tents.

Picture upscale boutique accommodations and luxury spas set against canyon landscapes and blending with the environment, healing experiences informed by the wisdom of Indigenous traditions, and a growing creative scene that draws artists and performers to this raw and magnetic landscape.

Imagine an area that is known not just for its fossils, but for its future — as a wellness and cultural destination like no other. What was previously a one-day family getaway to see Alberta’s prehistoric past, or catch a show in Rosebud, is now the epicentre of Alberta’s new tourism frontier.

This is not a far-off fantasy. It’s a potential reality within our grasp.

Globally, wellness tourism is booming. Currently valued in the hundreds of billions, it’s expected to grow to a staggering $1.35 trillion by 2028, projected........

© Edmonton Sun