TIAC Applauds Budget’s Tourism Marketing Nod
The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) has welcomed the 2017 federal budget’s pledge to provide significant support to help bolster marketing efforts for the Canadian tourism industry.
“The Tourism Industry Association of Canada is pleased that tourism marketing continues to be a priority in this year’s federal budget. Making permanent the $37.5 million per year in temporary funding previously provided to Destination Canada, starting in 2018-19, provides certainty and will allow Destination Canada to continue its strong collaboration with industry partners to maximize the impacts of its marketing campaigns to draw in more tourists from abroad and increase economic activity for the sector,” said TIAC president Charlotte Bell. “We are also pleased to see investments of $8.6 million over four years to support the development of Canada’s unique and authentic Indigenous tourism industry as well as the Aboriginal Tourism Association of Canada’s five-year Indigenous Tourism Strategy.”
She added, “Tourism is the fastest growing industry in the world. Federal funding to advance Canada’s reputation in niche markets with growing popularity will help keep Canada competitive.”
The government also pledged an additional $13.6 million over five years to broaden Statistics Canada’s data collection capability, and $2.7 million in continuing funding after this period. The budget also includes significant investments to continue to manage Parks Canada and to complete the Trans-Canada Trail.
