Destination Canada promotes stronger people-to-people ties through tourism at Showcase Canada Asia
OTTAWA – Canada enjoys strong people-to-people and business-to-business ties with China, and the Government of Canada is committed to further developing these ties to take full advantage of new trade opportunities that support the middle class in both countries.
At Showcase Canada Asia this week, Canadian tourism firms met with more than 100 travel agents, tour operators and other buyers from mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. The annual event, organized by Destination Canada, helps strengthen business relationships with Asia, one of Canada's fastest growing sources of tourists. In 2016, more than 610,000 Chinese tourists visited Canada – an increase of 23.6 percent over 2015.
This year, Destination Canada also used Showcase Canada Asia to raise awareness of the 2018 Canada-China Year of Tourism. This opportunity will allow Canada and China to build on the people-to-people ties that keep us connected to welcome more tourists in both countries. The ties between our two countries run deep: nearly 1.5 million Canadians have Chinese ancestry, and Mandarin and Cantonese are Canada's most widely spoken languages after English and French.
The 2018 Canada-China Year of Tourism will feature exciting activities and events across Canada and China. This special year is a unique opportunity for Canada to showcase the best it has to offer and capitalize on the benefits of a vibrant tourism sector to create good middle-class jobs for many years to come.
"Canada and China have strong ties, built on mutual economic cooperation and deep family connections. Events like Showcase Canada Asia are a great way to encourage Canadian tourism suppliers to take full advantage of the potential that China's growing middle class represents. As we approach the 2018 Canada-China Year of Tourism, I look forward to seeing Canada welcoming a record number of Chinese tourists and showing them why Canada is such a great place to visit", said The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism
"Showcase Canada Asia is a great way for Canadian tourism businesses from coast to coast to build relationships with Chinese buyers. This year we have 230 Canadian sellers, representing 11 provinces and territories, including 8 Aboriginal businesses. China is one of our fastest growing markets, and I look forward to seeing this growth continue as we leverage the 2018 Canada-China Year of Tourism to inspire Chinese travellers to take in the variety of experiences that we offer across the country", said David F. Goldstein, President and CEO, Destination Canada
Quick facts
- China plays a central role in Canada's New Tourism Vision. The Government of Canada is committed to doubling the number of Chinese visitors by 2021 as part of that vision.
- China is Canada's second-largest single-nation trading partner. Two-way merchandise trade between Canada and China totalled almost $86 billion in 2016.
- Canadians of Chinese descent account for roughly 4.5 percent of Canada's population.
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