Federal government unveils new tourism growth strategy

Today in Niagara, Minister of Tourism (and Associate Minister of Finance) Randy Boissonnault unveiled the new Federal Tourism Growth Strategy, entitled Canada 365: Welcoming the world. Every day.

The new strategy intends to unleash the full potential of Canadian tourism and cement Canada as a top global destination through the following five priorities:

• Investing in Canada's tourism assets
• Embracing recreation and the great outdoors
• Partnering to grow Indigenous tourism
• Attracting more international events
• Improving coordination through a federal ministerial council

The strategy established targets through to 2030 that fulfill the plans main objectives to increase tourism’s economic output and improve Canada’s competitive standing internationally:

• Increase the tourism sector's contribution to Canada's GDP by 40 per cent in 2030 to $61 billion
• Impact of increase in tourism sector’s contribution to Canada’s GDP means an estimated additional 85,000 direct jobs 
• Restore Canada’s ranking in WEF Global Travel and Tourism Development Index from 13 in 2021 to 7 by 2030

Canada has what the world wants

The new strategy notes Canada's diverse and unique attractions welcome people from around the world, every day, highlighting, among others, the following:

• 19 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, such as the Niagara Escarpment, and numerous Provincial Parks
• 550 wineries in 4 provinces, including the Niagara Benchlands, and 1,000+ craft breweries, such as those found along the Niagara Ale Trail