Canada had a second-in-a-row record tourism year in 2018, and part of the growth comes from an often over-looked sector: Indigenous tourism, which rose at a rate faster than overall tourism activity.
The indigenous tourism industry—visits to sites and lands controlled by Canada’s First Peoples, grew 23.2 percent from 2014 to 2017, while overall tourism went up 14.5 percent. Although it’s still only a small part of the overall picture, it is likely to continue to grow as tribal groups and governments invest in more facilities and putlicity.
Overall, Destination Canada, the national marketing organization said 21.13 million visitors entered Canada last year, with increases driven by, among other things, opening more visa centers in China and increases in available flights both from Asia and Europe. Seats on flights to Canada grew by 2 million over the previous year.
The 6.7 million who came from countries other than the U.S. amount to 32% of the total arrivals, also a record. These visitors tend to stay in Canada longer and spend more than Americans, who often are on day trips.
Photo: Royal Canadian Mint, Winnipeg (DrFumblefinger/TG)
