Tourism In Ontario Set To Grow
June 24, 2010 7:15 PM
McGuinty Government Welcomes Canada’s Approved Destination Status With China
Canada’s new Approved Destination Status (ADS) with China promises to boost tourism and economic activity in Ontario.
This represents a new opportunity to build on the province’s Open Ontario Plan to attract more visitors and to market tourism experiences directly to consumers in China. Tour operators will also be able to work with their counterparts in China to sell group travel packages. As a result, Ontario is poised to see a significant growth in visitors and visitor spending.
China is an increasingly important and growing market for Ontario tourism. In 2008, Ontario welcomed almost 76,000 visitors from China who spent more than $150 million during their stay. Over the next five years, visitors from China to Ontario are expected to grow by an average of nine per cent annually.
QUICK FACTS
- In 2008, visitors from China represented approximately 4 per cent of Ontario’s overseas visits and approximately 6 per cent of overseas visitor spending in Ontario.
- On average, visitors from China spent $2,006 per visit in Ontario in 2008.
- By 2015, ADS is expected to boost the yearly rate of travel to Canada from China by up to 50 per cent.
- By 2020, China is forecasted to be the fourth largest generator of outbound tourism in the world.
