Canada launches new tourism development program
The government is coming up with new ways to attract foreigners.
Canada has a very favorable attitude towards newcomers, whether they are immigrants or just tourists. Having survived a rather difficult time of the pandemic, the country is now intensifying its efforts to attract people from abroad. To this end, Tourism Minister Soraya Martinez-Ferrada is launching a new tourism development program.
The three-year program will be the first step in the ministry's goal of a 40 percent increase in the tourism sector's contribution to Canada's GDP by the end of the decade.
Funding will be provided to projects that develop
- sustainable tourism in general;
- outdoor recreation;
- Indigenous tourism;
- seasonal tourism;
- Tourism in rural and remote areas.
In 2022, this industry provided Canada with 1.87 million jobs. And tourism's contribution to Canada's GDP in the same year was almost CA$ 38 billion: it generated almost CA$ 94 billion in revenue for businesses and accounted for almost 13% of the country's service exports.
In 2023, those numbers are even better. In the first 8 months of the year, Canada has already welcomed 12.6 million international travelers, a 54% increase over the same period in 2022.
"When it comes to tourism, Canada has what the world wants—and it’s no surprise that we’re a tourism powerhouse. As a government, we have a responsibility to help the industry grow and thrive so it can keep contributing to Canada’s prosperity. The new Tourism Growth Program will help Canadian tourism seize opportunities and create jobs, and I look forward to seeing the difference it makes in communities across this land," commented Martinez-Ferrada.
Last week, she also announced the launch of the Indigenous Tourism Fund for Micro and Small Businesses, which will provide CA$ 10 million in direct support to Indigenous tourism operators.
The government emphasizes that tourism is a cornerstone of Canada's economy. The sector creates opportunities in communities across the country, supporting nearly 2 million jobs.
