Happy National Tourism Week 2023 in Canada!
Spring is in full swing and summer is just around the corner. Like all those working in the tourism sector—including hoteliers, tour guides and operators, and transportation providers—I look forward to welcoming both first-time and return visitors to Kingston and the Islands.
During the pandemic, the federal government provided $23 billion in emergency support to help the industry recover, and with travel resuming and the industry beginning to turn the corner, there is an opportunity to invest in Canada’s tourism sector and ensure it can continue to be a driver of good jobs and vibrant communities across Canada.
Following consultations with the tourism industry, provincial and territorial counterparts, and Indigenous tourism operators, the government will present a new Federal Tourism Growth Strategy to chart a course for growth, investment, and stability in Canada’s tourism sector.
Key components of the upcoming Strategy include:
Budget 2023 proposes $108 million over 3 years, on a cash basis, starting in 2023-24, to the Regional Development Agencies to support communities, small businesses, and non-profit organizations in developing local projects and events.
Budget 2023 also proposes $50 million over 3 years, on a cash basis, starting in 2023-24, to Destination Canada to attract major international conventions, conferences, and events to Canada.