This positive initiative could have a strong impact on all areas of the hospitality industry – travel and tourism, food and beverage and accommodation. China is Canada’s third largest market in terms of arrivals and is the second largest in terms of tourist receipts. Strong economic growth, a rapidly growing middle class and increasing air access bode well for 2018, with strong projected growth.
 

A Message from the Minister's Office Regarding 2018 Canada-China Year of Tourism

Colleagues,

I am very excited to share with you information on the 2018 Canada-China Year of Tourism!

In September 2016, our Prime Minister and Premier Li of China announced that 2018 will be the Canada-China Year of Tourism. China is Canada’s third largest source of tourists. In 2016, we welcomed nearly 610,100 Chinese tourists spending $1.5 billion in the Canadian economy, supporting well-paying middle-class jobs.

The 2018 Canada-China Year of Tourism is a tremendous opportunity to showcase all that Canada’s tourism industry has to offer in the Chinese market and to attract visitors from the world’s largest tourism market. We’ve already seen seven new Visa Application Centers open in China earlier this year and Destination Canada’s marketing efforts are being augmented. The 2018 Canada-China Year of Tourism supports the targets set out in Canada’s New Tourism Vision, including the doubling of Chinese visitation to Canada by 2021.

As we prepare for the 2018 Canada-China Year of Tourism, we have an opportunity to capitalize on the successes of a vibrant tourism industry – Canada’s largest export service sector and employer of one in 10 Canadians – and continue to promote our country as a premier international tourist destination. We want to work with you, the tourism industry, to ensure that the 2018 Canada-China Year of Tourism is a resounding success.

On December 4, 2017, Prime Minister Trudeau and the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Small Business and Tourism, unveiled the 2018 Canada-China Year of Tourism logo in the headquarters of Sina Weibo. The event generated more than 370 million views! I am reaching out to you today to let you know that the logo and website are now available for you to use. On the website, you’ll find key resources on how tourism businesses can get ready for Chinese visitors and how you can download and use the logo! Destination Canada, additionally, has a promotional site in China, which markets Canada’s tourist attractions to a Chinese audience (https://www.canada-china2018.cn).

There is plenty more to follow on the 2018 Canada-China Year of Tourism. There will be an opening ceremony put on by China in Canada (details to follow) and Canada will be hosting the closing ceremony in China. Throughout the year, there will be a series of events in Canada and China. If you know of any activities taking place in China, we would like to work with you to explore branding the event as part of the 2018 Canada-China Year of Tourism.

We ask that you distribute this information widely to your memberships and networks.

I look forward to a very successful 2018 Canada-China Year of Tourism.

Jade-Emilie Daigneault
Policy Advisor, Quebec and Atlantic
Office of the Minister of Small Business and Tourism
Innovation, Science and Economic Development