OTTAWA – Canada is hoping to increase the number of international tourists visiting the country by 30 percent by 2021.
The Canadian government has developed a 20-point plan, called “New Tourism Vision,” which also has a goal of doubling the number of Chinese tourists over the next four years.
Although those numbers sound ambitious, Canada has seen the number of international visitors grow by 7.5 percent in 2015, to 17.8 million, and by 11 percent in 2016, to 20 million tourists.
If those annual increases continue the 30 percent goal would be within reach.
“Through our government’s ‘New Tourism Vision,’ we have a clear plan to build on this success and showcase our beautiful landscapes, incredible experiences and unique culture to the world,” said Bardish Chaggar, Canada’s Minister of Small Business and Tourism.
The plan calls for the government to increase funding for marketing, support the renewal of products and services already offered, and make Canada easier to access for international travelers by expanding the electronic Travel Authorization System, which exempts visitors from some countries from obtaining a Temporary Resident Visa.
In addition to targeting Chinese visitors, the government will fund marketing programs to entice more Americans to visit Canada. The U.S. leisure market already is Canada’s largest source of international tourists, accounting for 70 percent of overnight visitors to the country.
