Ottawa, ON — The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) today released its strategic recommendations to the Standing Committee on Finance (FINA) in advance of the Government’s 2025 Budget.
Canada’s tourism sector plays a pivotal role in Canada’s economic strength and resilience, contributing over $50 billion to GDP and supporting more than two million jobs. As Canada’s second-largest service export, tourism helps build vibrant communities, drives nation building, creates jobs, and connects Canada to the world.
To realize the government’s goal of building the strongest economy in the G7, Canada must unlock tourism’s full potential. Overcoming barriers to growth will help the sector achieve the ambitious targets set out in the Federal Tourism Growth Strategy (FTGS) and Destination Canada’s 2030 Tourism Strategy.
TIAC’s recommendations to FINA’s pre-budget consultation are designed to align with Canada’s economic priorities and support shared prosperity. TIAC outlines five key priorities requiring coordinated action:
- Incentivize investment in tourism assets and infrastructure;
- Develop a national, multi-modal transportation strategy;
- Fortify Canada’s international marketing capacity;
- Strengthen Canada’s business-events sector; and
- Resolve Canada’s tourism workforce challenges
“Tourism isn’t just an economic driver, it’s a nation builder,” says Claude Paul Boivin, Interim President and CEO of TIAC. “With strategic federal support and a strong partnership with business, our sector can spur innovation, create opportunities across the country, and help achieve the government’s vision for a resilient and forward-looking economy.”
TIAC looks forward to working with the Government of Canada to ensure that Budget 2025 reflects the sector’s importance and supports a resilient, competitive tourism economy for the future.