Minister Valdez praises tourism as a ‘powerful industry,’ looking forward to an exciting year

Federal tourism minister Rechie Valdez has high hopes for this country’s tourism trade in 2026.

Valdez, speaking to Rendez-vous Canada delegates in Toronto on Friday, said there are several reasons for people in the tourism industry to be upbeat, including Vancouver and Toronto hosting FIFA World Cup soccer games this month.

Valdez also praised the Canada Strong Pass, something she said is generating more interest among Canadians in visiting national parks, museums and other attractions in this country.

The pass enables holders to receive some free and other discounted offerings from Parks Canada, Via Rail and others in the tourism sector from June 19 to Sept. 7.

“This is truly an exciting year, ” Valdez said of developments.

Tourism is a “powerful industry” that injects huge amounts of money into this country’s economy and employs a large number of Canadians, she added.

This year’s Rendez-vous saw 518 international buyers from 24 countries and the amount of activity prompted Sébastien Dubois of Destination Canada to tell show attendees on Friday that, “The energy on the floor is electric.”

Dubois and Valdez spoke during a lunch hosted by Visit Mississauga, with Visit Mississauga CEO Victoria Clarke praising her city’s diversity, while Ontario tourism minister Stan Cho used the lunch to laud Ontario’s “physical beauty.”

Next year will see Rendez-vous held in Calgary, with Travel Alberta CEO David Goldstein promising the city will go “full bore” for the event.

The show will be held in Niagara Falls in 2028 followed by Halifax in 2029 and Ottawa in 2030, with Valdez saying the show is unquestionably beneficial.

“For nearly 50 years Rendez-vous Canada has showcased the very best of our country.”

Hosting this year’s show brought “real benefits” to the Greater Toronto Area, she continued.