Statistics Canada data shows international travellers spent nearly $7 billion in Canada in April, May and June – almost twice the $3.6 billion that they spent in the second quarter last year. The spending also exceeded the $6.3 billion that international visitors spent in Canada in the second quarter of 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted travel. The 2019 spending level, however, was not adjusted for inflation, which rose to a 39-year peak of 8.1 per cent in mid-2022,…
Tourism is steadily improving in Canada as both domestic and foreign travellers support a much-needed recovery back to pre-pandemic levels. With hotel occupancies inching up in 2022, hotel construction projects in Canada have never been higher – another positive sign that the hospitality market is rebounding. According to industry analysts Lodging Econometrics (LE), the forecast is for Canada’s hotel construction pipeline to remain strong throughout 2023 despite recent interest rate increases. The top cities in Canada for hotel construction at…
The federal government is dropping mandatory COVID-19 vaccine requirements for travelers on Oct. 1, 2022. The decision to end vaccine restrictions cited was based on Canada’s vaccination rate, availability of newer vaccines and treatments and data showing the country had passed the peak of the latest wave of coronavirus infections. As of Oct. 1, all travellers, regardless of citizenship, will no longer have to: Submit public health information through the ArriveCAN app or website; Provide proof of vaccination; Undergo…
The Government of Canada has announced a series of adjustments to the current border measures, representing the beginning of a phased easing of travel restrictions. The Global Business Travel Association Canada (GBTA Canada) welcomed the announcement by the federal government that it would be easing travel restrictions on March 1, 2022. Removing barriers to entry for travel into Canada, especially for business travel, is a positive step that will contribute to the recovery of Canadian trade and commerce. As…
COVID-related debt has not abated since the beginning of the year, with small businesses owing an average of nearly $170,000, according to a new report from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). “While the overall small business debt load due to COVID-19 has remained stable over the past six months, the actual repayment of this debt will be the next big obstacle that small businesses will face, especially as many are still seeing a slow pick up in revenues,…
The countdown is on until Canada’s federal election — the first-ever held during a pandemic. Where do the parties stand on key issues that may affect meetings and events professionals? Here’s a breakdown (as of Sept. 7) of each platform, as it relates to the industry. Canadians can cast their vote Sept. 20. Advancing polling begins Sept. 10. Bloc Québécois The Bloc has called for a study of the impact of bankruptcies on small and medium-sized businesses, and would like…
Canadian business travellers overwhelmingly want to return to travel, according to a new report commissioned by Sap Concur. A total of 3,850 business travellers in 25 global markets, including 250 in Canada, were surveyed. Here are the top five Canadian findings. 1. Canadian travellers are ready to get back in the air. Nearly nine in 10 Canadian business travellers are ready to resume travel in the next 12 months. This is driven by travellers’ belief that they will suffer if their…
Market analysts appear confident that rallying conditions in Canada’s hotel industry are pushing the sector in a positive direction. Colliers’ review of trends in the second quarter of 2021 gauges sentiment at a C+, while Avison Young’s mid-year Canada hotel market summary underscores expectations for improvement in the third and fourth quarters. Both reports examine the interplay of COVID-19-related depressants that will have to lift before occupancy levels, revenue per available room (RevPAR) and average daily rates (ADR) can recover to pre-pandemic levels, and…
Liza Frulla is the new board chair of Destination Canada. The CEO and director of Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec (ITHQ) was appointed to the position following an open, transparent and merit-based selection process. “Ms. Frulla has an excellent track record in the hospitality industry and in the tourism sector as a whole,” said Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, on the day of the announcement. “Her wealth of experience will truly be an asset…
The federal government is collaborating with provinces and territories to develop a proof of vaccination that will facilitate cross-border travel, while reducing the risk of spread and importation of COVID-19. The plan is based on advice from public health officials with priority placed on the safety and security of all Canadians. “Thanks to the incredible progress that Canadians have made, our country is reopening — gradually (and) cautiously,” says Marco Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. “This means that…
