It was business as usual in Banff on Sunday, apart from a heightened security presence according to some locals and tourists.

By around 11 a.m. on Sunday, hundreds of people were walking along Banff Avenue, although the crowds aren’t unusual for the mountain town.

John Michealz, a server at Melissa’s MisSteak on Banff Ave. said he hasn’t noticed any additional traffic in the area, despite the G7 Summit in nearby Kananaskis and a marathon in Banff on Sunday.

“Banff is meant for tourism, so I don’t see why (that) would be a big impact for us,” Michealz said.

He noted that some businesses in town have been preparing for an uptick during the G7, but Melissa’s didn’t feel it was necessary.

“This is the biggest restaurant in Banff, and we have a lot of experience all together on the floor here, so we’re always ready to welcome anyone at any time,” said Michealz.

Visiting from Kelowna, B.C., Joanne Morgan was taking photos on Banff Ave. with her sisters Gwyneth Rogan and Fiona Henry, who were visiting Canada for the first time from Ireland.

The three didn’t know how close the summit would be to their vacation until the days leading up to the trip.

Morgan mused about seeing someone “famous,” or a motorcade as a result of the nearby summit, although the three sisters have other priorities as well.

“We’re not really interested in seeing the famous people, she just wants to see a bear,” said Morgan, gesturing toward her sister.

Town has been busier, says Banff tourist

Asked if she’d seen anything out of the ordinary, Morgan said it seems the same as her previous visit to the mountain town.

“I’ve seen Banff a lot busier than this . . . I’ve been here almost, five, six times,” said Morgan.

Although they have noticed the increased security presence.

“The only thing is, there are a lot more policemen around, but that’s about it,” Morgan added.

However, the G7 will bring somewhat of an uptick in tourism for Kananaskis and other areas of the Canadian Rockies, according to Morgan.

“For anybody to see that and then project those images back to their respective countries, it will bring a lot more tourism here I think,” she said.

Patrick O’Connor works in Banff, and is regularly interacting with tourists, he hasn’t noticed a difference in crowds for this time of year.

“Everybody seems to be aware of the G7 going on,” said O’Connor, adding many people are talking about it.

“It’s exciting to know that the top seven leaders of the world economies are here in the area to talk about the world economy,” he said.

Enhanced security isn’t really impacting anything in Banff, according to O’Connor.

“It’s probably, what, 40 kilometers from here, and so it’s over there, and this is Banff . . . we’re thinking about it, but I don’t think it’s really affecting us that much,” he said.

O’Connor hopes that the leaders will come and see Banff.

“I’ve thought about the these leaders coming here, and I don’t know if President Trump has been here or not, but I hope that they’ll come because this is one of the most beautiful places in the world,

“We’ve got all our guests here that will verify that fact. You know, they come from all over to be here,” said O’Connor.

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