Summary

• The World Economic Forum (WEF) has placed Canada in 11th place among those countries that are enabling travel and tourism development in 2024.
• Global travel and tourism was one of the hardest-hit industries during the COVID-19 pandemic that hit the world markets in 2020.
• If you are interested in the hospitality and tourism industry in Canada, then you can look into Edison College’s Hospitality & Tourism Management Diploma.

Travel and tourism was one of the hardest-hit industries during the COVID-19 pandemic that hit the world markets in 2020.

Even after five years, the global tourism industry has not been able to fully recover from the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was one of the worst times in the history of the industry. The closure of air travel routes and the bankruptcies of airlines and hotels crippled the global tourism industry.

The WEF has placed Canada in 11th place among those countries that are enabling travel and tourism development in 2024, according to the WEF’s Travel and Tourism Development Index 2024.

The index grades 119 countries on factors and policies of the states that are linked with tourism and travel. These factors directly contribute to the economic progress of a country.

Travel and Tourism: Recovery From The COVID-19 Pandemic

Destination Canada, a federal Crown corporation owned by the Canadian government, believes that Canada has made substantial progress over the last years. 

The recovery of the tourism industry in 2023 was much faster than it was forecasted earlier. A significantly positive development for Canada, according to the Destination Canada annual report for 2023.

Just like other countries, Canada was also badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The subsequent lockdowns, restrictions on international travel, and closure of other tourism services from 2020, 2021, and 2022 also hit Canada hard.

Destination Canada believes that Canada has an opportunity to bring in major changes in how the country deals with its tourism sector.

Canada can recapture its position as a major destination for global tourism and earn much more revenue for Canadians.

By March 2020, most governments in the world started sealing international borders to avoid the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

On March 18, 2020, Canada closed its borders for most foreign visitors. In 2021, Canada started welcoming international visitors again, but only those who were fully vaccinated.

However, from October 1, 2022, Canada removed all restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

So in one way or another, Canadian borders were restricted for foreign travellers for over two and a half years. Nonetheless, by December 2023, the number of international tourists started returning to pre-pandemic levels.

International Tourists Are Coming To British Columbia In Big Numbers

The number of international tourists has rebounded strongly after many devastating years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In British Columbia, the number of non-US international tourists crossed the pre-pandemic levels in the summer of 2024.

In the first four months of 2024, the number of international visitors was higher than in the comparable period of the last year.

However, at the same time, Canada is facing some major problems, like wildfires and its global media coverage that is discouraging tourists from travelling to Canada.

Similarly, milder winters are creating problems for the popular ski resorts in the country.

But at the same time, rising temperatures and longer summer months have opened up opportunities for Canada to accommodate more tourists during the shoulder seasons.

Travel and Tourism: Canada’s 2030 Strategy and Targets

Destination Canada has made a plan to increase the current annual revenue of the country from $140 billion to $160 billion by 2030.

This means that the government will try to increase the profitability of tourism businesses. Incentivise businesses to go and take steps through which people can increase their incomes.

The travel and tourism industry has recovered very well, and the country is now on the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Destination Canada is now targeting to attract tourists in peak seasons. Aiming to strengthen leisure guests, attract more companies to have international business events, focus on major air routes, etc.

Canada is trying to promote its travel and tourism industry by investing more in marketing and incentivizing the private sector.

Destination Canada is trying to market Canada in top markets like the US, the UK, South Korea, Mexico, Japan, France, Australia, Germany, etc. This strategy is helping to get the highest returns on investment, according to Destination Canada.

Conclusion

The tourism industry of Canada has rebounded very strongly in 2023 and 2024. Moreover, the continuous allocation of more funds to market Canada in top markets will definitely help attract more visitors to Canada.

Looking at the government of Canada’s travel and tourism strategy for 2030, one can expect that Canada can further consolidate its global ranking of top tourist destinations.

Join Edison College’s diploma in Hospitality & Tourism Management

With the inherent potential of tourism, the Canadian tourism industry will further grow in the near future.

You can also become part of the Canadian travel and tourism industry by joining Edison College’s one-year Diploma in Hospitality & Tourism Management.

Edison College is also offering a two-year diploma in Hospitality & Tourism Management with Co-op, which has a one-year industry placement arrangement so that students can get relevant work experience before joining the workforce.

If you have further questions, you can contact us today to learn more about any of these programs.

Read more industry-related blogs here.

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