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
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