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The following business criteria are guidelines to help partners posting to ATIS get the most out of the tool. These criteria define what content is accepted, and how to structure it effectively for discovery.

ATIS Account

An ATIS account allows a tourism business to enter and manage listings, events, and account details. An ATIS account is required by users of ATIS.

Each account is connected to an ATIS organization which acts as the base component for managing all content created by a business or operator.

An ATIS organization can have multiple users (accounts) assigned to it. This allows teams or partners to collaborate in managing listings and keeping content up to date.

ATIS content types

Users can submit two types of content to ATIS:

  • Listings
  • Events

Listings

An ATIS listing is defined as information about a specific Alberta tourism product or experience that is relevant to the liesure traveller.

Tourism products entered into ATIS must operate within Alberta, with the following exceptions:

  • Applicable travel trade organizations who sell Alberta tourism products but whose business address may not be in Alberta.
  • Guided operators who offer tours in Alberta but have an address outside of Alberta.

Structuring Listings in ATIS

Listings are managed under an ATIS organization which allows a business to create and manage multiple listings.

Listings should be as specific as needed to clearly represent the experience- but not more complex than neccessary.

Listings should generally be created at the experience level, rather than combining multiple distinct products or services into a single listing.

Encouraged:

  • Separate listings for distinct experiences, services, or offerings
  • Differentiation by audience, skill level, duration, or type of experience
  • Clear, focused content that represents a single tourism product

Example: Instead of one listing describing rafting and kayaking together, an operator may create:

  • Beginner rafting experience
  • Advanced rafting experience
  • Guided kayaking tour

When a Single Listing is Appropriate

Not all businesses need multiple listings.

A single listing is appropriate when a business offers a consistent product or experience that does not vary significantly.

Examples:

  • A restaurant offering a consistent menu and dining experience
  • A retail or attraction experience that remains largely the same day-to-day
  • A tourism business whose services can be clearly described within a single listing and categorized using ATIS types

In these cases, creating additional listings for minor variations (such as daily specials, seasonal offerings, or small changes in service) is not necessary.

If you’re unsure how to structure your listings, you can contact the Travel Alberta Contact Centre (TACC) atissupport@travelalberta.com for guidance.

Listing Inclusion Criteria

In order to be considered for approval, a proposed listing must meet all of the following inclusion criteria:

  • It is market ready
  • It is a tourism product
  • It provides a service to the leisure traveller
  • It has an Alberta business address (unless exceptions apply)
  • It can be correctly classified under an existing ATIS listing category
  • None of the ATIS listing exclusion criteria (see below) apply

In addition:

  • The listing should represent a distinct tourism experience where appropriate
  • The content should be clearly differentiated if multiple listings exist under the same organization
  • The content should be verifiable through another digital channel. (E.g An operator's official website or Facebook business page)

Listing Exclusion Criteria

If a proposed listing meets any of the following exclusion criteria, it will not be approved:

  • The product is travel insurance
  • The product is an online or virtual service without a physical premises
  • The product is a chain restaurant or retail outlet with more than 9 locations (must be Alberta-based to qualify)

Events

An event occurs in a specific place during a defined period of time. Events may be a single occurrence or a series.

Events should:

  • Take place over a defined time period

Event Inclusion Criteria

To be considered for approval, a proposed event must meet all of the following:

  • It is market ready
  • It is a tourism product
  • It takes place as a single organized event or a short series of events
  • It takes place within Alberta
  • It can draw visitors on its own merit (not primarily local-focused)
  • It can be correctly classified under an existing ATIS event category
  • It has a spectator component
  • The event is a holiday or seasonal event with varied programming
  • None of the ATIS event exclusion criteria apply

Event Exclusion Criteria

If a proposed event meets any of the following, it will not be approved:

  • The event is a frequently recurring activity (e.g., a weekly guided tour — this should be a Listing)
  • The event does not have a physical location
  • The event is a garage sale or retail-only sale (unless supported by additional tourism draw activities)
  • The event is a trade show
  • The event is a seasonal camp
  • The event is a religious service
  • The event is trade-focused
  • The sole purpose is fundraising without a broader spectator appeal
  • The event is a food sale or happy hour
  • The event is a K–12 school event or performance (with limited exceptions)