Canada's tourism industry is slowly emerging from the pandemic's shadow. With stunning destinations like Manitoulin Island, local business owners share their strategies to attract visitors once more. The impact of climate change, illustrated by recent wildfires, is reshaping the landscape for winter sports and tourism. Indigenous tourism is highlighted as a growing sector, facing both challenges and transformative opportunities. Diplomatic strains have affected international visitors, prompting the government to pivot towards boosting American tourism.
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Quick takeaways
Canada's tourism sector is developing a comprehensive plan to address challenges from climate change and geopolitical tensions affecting visitor numbers.
Indigenous tourism is identified as a significant growth area, contributing immensely to Canada's economy and job creation before the pandemic.
Deep dives
Rebuilding Canada's Tourism Industry Post-Pandemic
Canada is working to revitalize its tourism industry, which has not yet fully recovered from the pandemic. The number of international visitors remains significantly lower than pre-COVID levels, with U.S. travelers at 85% of 2019 figures and those from other regions at 78%. The government has launched a roadmap to address challenges, including staffing shortages, wildfires, and geopolitical tensions that affect travel. One of the promising areas for growth is Indigenous tourism, which saw significant contributions to the economy before the pandemic.
Impact of Climate Change on Tourism
Climate change is causing significant challenges for Canadian tourism, particularly with the severity of wildfires impacting popular destinations. The 2023 wildfire season was notably devastating, with vast areas burned and smoke reaching distant locations. Business owners in affected areas, like Jasper, are facing the challenge of rebuilding and accommodating tourists after widespread damage to hotels. These environmental concerns, coupled with changing holiday habits, necessitate strategic government initiatives to promote tourism and protect natural landscapes.
Geopolitical Factors Affecting Visitor Numbers
Geopolitical relations, particularly between Canada and China, have negatively impacted tourism from one of Canada's largest markets. Tensions stemming from the detention of Canadian citizens in China during the Huawei incident have strained bilateral relations. Although restrictions have lifted, Canada remains off China's approved travel destination list, hampering recovery efforts. Efforts to improve relations and reestablish connectivity with international carriers are crucial for attracting visitors back to Canada.
It’s the second largest landmass in the world, famous for its lakes and spectacular forests, yet Canada’s travel industry has faced challenges since the Covid pandemic hit in 2020.
International visitor numbers still haven't recovered, and extreme weather events like wildfires have destroyed some of its best-known resorts. Plus difficult diplomatic relations have meant a reduction in tourists from a key market - China.
But Canada’s government says it has a plan for the sector which is worth $38bn CAD to Canada’s GDP.
We’ll hear about it from the country’s tourism minister and from business owners and tourists too.
Presenter/producer: Megan Lawton
(Photo: Jack Rivers is an indigenous cultural guide on Manitoulin Island, he runs tours around the Wiikwemkoong Reserve)
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