About Tourism

Canada’s economy is expected to grow 4.5% per year from 2024 to 2030. Spending within Canada’s tourism industry will grow faster than the overall economy, increasing at an annual rate of 5.8%.

According to Destination Canada, tourism in 2024 generated $129.7 billion in revenue, supported approximately 1 in 10 jobs in communities like ours across Canada and contributed an estimated $50.8 billion in Gross Domestic Product.

 

 

Tourism Highlights:

  • Total tourism revenue reached $26.4B in Q1 2025, including $21.4B from domestic tourism and $5.1B from international visitors. Total tourism revenue increased by 3% over the same period last year (Q1 2024), driven by an increase in domestic tourism revenue (+4%), while international tourism spending fell year-over-year (-3%). Both domestic and international tourism revenue in Q1 2025 surpassed Q1 2019 levels.
  • As of May 2025, the number of active tourism businesses in Canada were marginally above pre-pandemic levels by 0.7% (index = 100.7). By comparison the total number of Canadian businesses was up by 3.6% over the same baseline. Within the tourism industry, businesses in most sectors have surpassed the pre-pandemic baseline as of May 2025 with the exception of travel services and passenger transportation.
  • As of fall 2023, it’s projected that the tourism industry could reach the $160 billion revenue goal by 2030. The resiliency of the industry in Canada is now demonstrating that we have the potential to reach this revenue goal in 2029, one full year earlier than forecasted.
  • Despite economic challenges, domestic tourism is expected to remain resilient. The average growth rate of domestic tourism spend is projected to be 3.1% annually from 2024 to 2030.
  • After domestic tourism, the US Market will be the main driver of short-term growth for Canadian tourism.
  • Through 2027, Europe and Australia are expected to drive increased visitation. From 2027 onward, Asia will join Europe and Australia as a steady source of growth, fueling a new wave of international travel to Canada. The overall annual growth rate for international tourism revenue is projected to average 9.0% between 2024 to 2030.
  • Spending by international travelers is expected to grow its share of total tourism revenue from 24.1% in 2024 to 30.7% by 2030.

Destination Canada – Quarterly Tourism Snapshot

Tourism in Ontario: 

  • Tourism receipts – 38B.
  • 4.1 per cent of provincial GDP.
  • Tourism employment represents 5.2% of provincial employment.
  • Ontario consumer spending on tourism: 7.4%.

Tourism in Oakville:

The Town of Oakville is located within the Hamilton, Halton and Brant (region 3) collection of Ontario’s regional tourism designations.

2022 statistics from Ontario Ministry of Tourism Culture and Sport:

  • This region welcomed 7,762,381 visitors in 2022.
  • Visitor spending in this region totaled just over $704 million.
  • Visitors from other Canadian regions spent more on food and beverage than the other categories. Followed by transportation.

For more information about Visit Oakville, follow this link: visitoakville.com.