Federal Government Launches New Strategy to Strengthen Canada's Tourism Advantage

NORTH VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Oct. 6, 2011) - Today, on behalf of the Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism), Andrew Saxton, Member of Parliament for North Vancouver, helped celebrate the launch of Canada's Federal Tourism Strategy at an event at Capilano Suspension Bridge. The Strategy was developed to help position Canada's tourism sector for long-term growth and global competitiveness, and it focuses on improving coordination among the numerous federal partners that support the visitor economy.

"Canada continues to build on the success of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the granting of Approved Destination Status by China and our recent designation as the number one country in the world by FutureBrand's 2010 Country Brand Index," said Minister of State Bernier. "The Federal Tourism Strategy provides the scope and direction to help industry take advantage of this growth opportunity, increase tourism revenues and create jobs in all regions of Canada."

The Federal Tourism Strategy formalizes a whole-of-government initiative that will better align the tourism activities of some 15 federal departments and agencies. It is a long-term strategy to bring greater coherence to the policies and programs that support tourism. The Strategy sets out some 30 initial measures in four priority areas: increasing awareness of Canada as a premier tourist destination, facilitating access and travel to Canada, encouraging development of extraordinary tourism experiences, and fostering an adequate supply of skills and labour.

"Here in Canada, the tourism sector is a significant contributor to our economy and employs Canadians from coast to coast to coast," said Mr. Saxton. "This Strategy will help to position the industry to compete in an increasingly competitive global marketplace."

Tourism makes a significant contribution to Canada's economy. It represents approximately 2 percent of our gross domestic product and employs nearly 600,000 people across all regions of Canada. Recognizing tourism as a key economic driver, Prime Minister Harper met with senior industry leaders and announced the framework for the Federal Tourism Strategy in June 2009.

To download a copy of the Federal Tourism Strategy and for further information, please visit www.tourism.gc.ca.