Canada’s $90-billion tourism industry should see another strong year in 2016 fuelled by a weaker loonie and low gas prices, says a new report by the Conference Board of Canada.
The number of Canadians choosing domestic tourism destinations is projected to increase by 2.1 per cent, while overnight visits to Canada from the U.S. and overseas are expected to increase by 5.1 and 5.2 per cent this year, respectively, according the board’s National and Metropolitan Travel Markets Outlooks.
“A favourable exchange rate coupled with low gas prices will make Canada an attractive destination for both Canadian and international travellers in 2016,” said Greg Hermus, associate director for the Conference Board of Canada’s Canadian Tourism Research Institute.
From coast to coast, the nine Canadian cities covered in the report are expected to see varied levels of tourism growth in 2016, said the report. Vancouver will see the highest increase with overnight visits expected to increase by 4.1 per cent in 2016, while Edmonton, which has been especially hard-hit by the oil industry slowdown, will see the lowest growth at 0.8 per cent.
Canada’s tourism industry directly employs 627,000 people while a total of 1.6 million jobs are dependent on tourism, according to the Tourism Industry Association of Canada.
“Canada has strong momentum following significant tourism growth in 2014 and 2015,” said in a recent statement TIAC president and CEO Charlotte Bell. “Now is the time for the government to act on the policy issues that will take Canada to the next level as a global destination of choice.”
The tourism industry lobby group wants the federal government to enact several changes from the way it markets Canadian destination to lowering the cost of air travel and immigration changes to allow for more foreign workers.
“Market conditions are ideal with strong travel intentions in key markets, favourable currency exchange rates, increased air lift and Canada’s positive media profile,” Bell said. “By making Canada a more affordable and accessible destination, tourism has the opportunity to dramatically improve its performance and become an even greater contributor to the Canadian economy.”
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