Tourism in Canada

How Important Is Tourism in Canada? › Domestic and international tourism combined directly contributes 1% of Canada's total GDP › It supports 309,000 jobs in the country

Where do our tourists come from? › In 2015, this is where most of our international tourists came from

Not as well as we could be doing › At 1.5% growth in Canada, the sector looks healthy › But we are losing share of the international travel market. › Between 2002 and 2013, almost all countries posted international tourist arrivals gains – except Canada.

› Visits to Canada dropped 20% since 2000 › Canada was one of the most popular international tourist destinations in 1970, second only to Italy. ›Now it’s No. 18, and behind countries like Ukraine and Saudi Arabia.

What’s Holding Us Back? › 1) Marketing – we need to market ourselves better ›2) Money – it is expensive to fly to and around Canada ›3) Visas – it is not easy for some people to get travel visas

GETTING AROUND CANADA We are big and it is hard to travel around this country!

Flying Around Canada › Only have 2 main airlines (Air Canada, Westjet) competing with each other ›There are a few smaller airlines such as Porter, Air Transat, and NewLeaf, as well as many regional airlines like Air North or Air Nunavut

What is NewLeaf? ›A new low-cost airline was created this summer ›It travels to the smaller cities in Canada, like Hamilton and Winnipeg ›Hamilton-Winnipeg flights go for $99 and $165 Hamilton-Kelowna one- way, not including airport and air travel fees which run about $100 on top of the flight cost each way. ›Baggage, even carry- ons, will cost you extra

Why is it so pricey to fly in Canada? 1) Canada has a very low population density ›Our major cities are spread out over vast distances. ›Unlike in Europe where so many big cities are close together, which makes it cheaper to fly there.

2) No foreign companies are allowed to compete in Canada. › In Europe, opening up the skies to allow foreign companies to compete was one of the major contributors to the drastic drop in airfare prices. ›Air Canada has a monopoly on many flights and so can charge a lot

So Expensive To Fly ›Fly from Toronto to Vancouver = (approx. 4,300 km) 4:40 hrs, approx. 600$ ›Fly from Halifax to Vancouver = 8.3 hours, 900$ ›In Europe, it is approx. 4,300 km from one end of Europe to the other (Lisbon, Portugal to Helsinki, Finland) ›Cost of flying = $273

Taxes & Fees on Tickets  Example: a Westjet flight from Toronto to Vancouver in the fall = a return ticket is $370.  But then add...  HST: $60.98  AIF: $40.00 (a tax for using the airport)  ATSC: $14.25 (security fee)  NAV: $46.00 (navigation charge)  Total = you pay $570 on a $370 ticket!

Popular Routes Pay for Unpopular Routes ›Our 2 main airlines run unprofitable routes in order to "complete" the network. ›We have a lot of isolated cities (eg Thunder Bay, Saskatoon) that still need air service. › These routes are paid for by profits from other, more popular routes.

Driving Around Canada ›The Transcanada Highway is one of the longest in the world ›Drive from Toronto to Vancouver = 46 hours › Drive from Halifax to Vancouver = 60 hours

What about this whole area of Canada? There are no roads leading this far north...you have to fly in.

Taking the Train through Canada ›To take Via Rail from Toronto to Vancouver = 3.5 days, $978

Walking across Canada ›For curiosity’s sake, how long would it take to walk across Canada? ›From Halifax to Vancouver = 1,107 hours ›That’s about 46 straight days of walking ›If you only walk for 12 hours each day, then it would take 92 days

TOP 25 ATTRACTIONS IN CANADA

1. Niagara Falls, Ontario: million You can see the Falls from the viewing area, from behind them, up close in the Maid of the Mist, from above in the Ferris Wheel or a helicopter There are also many casinos, museums, and restaurants nearby

2. Harbourfront Centre Toronto: 12 million An area downtown on Queen’s Quay, it holds festivals, concerts and events all year long Everything from dance to music to food to cultural to book festivals

3. Granville Island, Vancouver: million It is a shopping district on a peninsula (not an island) It has a famous market, as well as stores, theatres, art galleries

4. Stanley Park, Vancouver, BC: 8 million A forested park right in the city, it follows the Pacific coastline Is bigger than Central Park Called the ‘Best Park in the World’ in 2013

5. Vieux Port (Old Port), Montreal: 7 million The old waterfront in Old Montreal, popular to walk around Has a science centre, an IMAX theatre, a Cirque de Soleil theatre, a beach

6. Exhibition Place, Toronto: million An area on the shore of Lake Ontario that has banquet centres, theatre and music buildings, monuments, parks, sports facilities, and several historic sites At the end of the summer, the CNE is one of the biggest fairs in North America

7. The Forks, Winnipeg: million A historical site that has a winter park, historic and new buildings containing shops and restaurants, a famous market, a theatre, several museums, as well as a skateboard park and historic port

8. Banff National Park, Alberta: 3.3 million Has mountains, glaciers and ice fields, dense forests Has the famous Lake Louise Has hot springs, ski resorts, hiking trails

9. Canada's Wonderland, Ontario: 3.25 million Has 16 roller coasters, more than any park outside the US Has been the most visited seasonal theme park in North America for several consecutive years The Leviathan is the tallest and fastest roller coaster in Canada and the 7 th -tallest, and the 8 th -fastest roller coaster in the world

10. Le Vieux-Quebec, Quebec City: 3.02 million Is a UNESCO site Is the only walled city in North America A historic part of Quebec City, has the famous Chateau Frontenac Has many museums, restaurants, historical sites

11. Mount Royal Park, Montreal: 3 million A park that climbs up the mountain until the viewing area at the top where you can see the whole city There are hiking and skiing trails, monuments, a man- made lake

12. Whistler Blackcomb, Vancouver, B.C.: 2.1 million A major ski resort north of Vancouver The largest ski resort in North America

13. CN Tower, Toronto: 2 million (tie) Was the tallest building in the world for 34 years Has observation decks, a restaurant at the top, and Edgewalk where you can walk around the outside attached by a cable

13. Mont Tremblant, Quebec: 2 million (tied) A ski resort town north of Montreal Is the best ski resort in eastern North America A gondola takes you from the upper part of the village to the lower part

15. Jasper National Park, Alberta: 1.99 million The largest park in the Rockies It includes glaciers, got springs, lakes, waterfalls, and mountains Is a UNESCO site

16. Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto: 1.5 million An urban plaza out front of Toronto City Hall Is the site of concerts, art displays, a weekly farmers' market, the winter festival of lights, a skating rink, and other public events

17. Centreville Amusement Park, Toronto: 1.35 million A children’s amusement park on Centre Island, can only get to it by ferry There are rides, a small train, a farm, many restaurants, and is next to the beach and park

18. La Ronde, Montreal: 1.3 million The 2 nd largest amusement park in Canada Is on an island in the St Lawrence River

19. Canadian Museum of Civilization, Gatineau, Quebec: 1.26 million A museum in Quebec right across the river from Ottawa Covers all of Canadian human history

20. Ontario Science Center, Toronto: 1.2 million A hands on science museum built into the ravine

20. Toronto Zoo, Toronto: 1.2 million (tie) Located in Scarborough, it is the largest zoo in Canada It lost its elephants but gained 2 pandas Home to over 5,000 animals

20. Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia: 1.2 million (tie) Famous for having the highest tides in the world Home to the Hopewell Rocks formation Protected in a national park

24. Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park, Quebec: 1.07 million 1 of the 3 marine parks in Canada Located where the Saguenay River meets the St Lawrence River Many whales live here, including belugas

25. Yonge-Dundas Square, Toronto: 1 million A public square downtown, the square has hosted numerous public events, performances and art displays, establishing itself as a prominent landmark Called ‘Canada’s Time Square’