Chinatown Dragon Food Tour wins the Culinary Tourism Award at the Edmonton Tourism Awards

EDMONTON, Alta. — The Chinatown Dragon Food Tour has won the Culinary Tourism Award at the 2026 Edmonton Tourism Awards, recognizing its success in attracting visitors to Chinatown and supporting local businesses.

Presented by Edmonton Destination Marketing Hotels and Edmonton's Best Hotels, the award was announced during the Edmonton Tourism Awards luncheon at the Edmonton EXPO Centre on Friday, June 5, 2026.

Operated through Chinatown Transformation Collaborative Society of Edmonton, the Dragon Food Tour runs annually from May to September and showcases Chinatown's restaurants, bakeries, markets and specialty food businesses through guided walking and sit-down culinary experiences. The tours are guided by summer students employed through the Government of Canada's Canada Summer Jobs program.

Participation increased from 401 visitors in 2024 to 1,470 visitors in 2025, an increase of more than 266 per cent. Visitors have travelled from across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Asia and as far away as Barcelona, Spain, to experience Edmonton's Chinatown through food, culture and storytelling. The program now features 25 participating small businesses throughout the neighbourhood that makes Chinatown an international district.

"This award belongs to the merchants, businesses and community partners who make Chinatown a destination worth visiting," said Sandy Pon, co-founder and chair of the Chinatown Transformation Collaborative.

"The growth of the Dragon Food Tour shows that people are looking for authentic experiences that connect them to local businesses and neighbourhoods. We've welcomed visitors from across Canada and around the world who specifically chose to visit Chinatown as part of their trip to Edmonton. That's good for local businesses, good for tourism and good for the long-term vibrancy of Chinatown."

Kathryn Luu, Interim Executive Director of the Chinatown Business Improvement Area and owner of Kim Fat Market and Butcher Shop, said the program has helped introduce new customers to Chinatown businesses.

"The tours help people discover businesses they may not have visited before," said Luu. "That increased foot traffic supports merchants throughout Chinatown and encourages people to return and explore more of the neighbourhood."

The Dragon Food Tour is part of Explore Chinatown Edmonton campaign, Chinatown's destination marketing and tourism initiative led by the Chinatown Transformation Collaborative under the Edmonton Chinatown Strategy. The program is funded through the City of Edmonton's Chinatown Vibrancy Fund and the Government of Canada's Canada Summer Jobs program.

The Dragon Food Tour operates annually from May to September. Tour information and upcoming experiences are available at ExploreChinatownYEG.com.

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