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National tourism indicators

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Second quarter 2010 (Previous release)

Tourism spending in Canada was up 1.5% in real terms in the second quarter, as increased spending by Canadians more than offset a decline in spending by international visitors to Canada.

This was the fourth consecutive advance in tourism spending in Canada. With this recent upswing, tourism spending has recovered from its year-long decline that began in the third quarter of 2008.

 Fourth consecutive increase in tourism spending

Tourism spending by Canadians at home increases

Canadians' spending in Canada on tourism advanced 2.2% in real terms in the second quarter, following a 0.6% gain in the first quarter.

Spending on passenger air transport, the largest component of the transportation category, increased 6.4%, as Canadians travelled more abroad (in the National tourism indicators, Canadians' spending on international transportation with Canadian carriers is counted as spending in Canada). Excluding passenger air, domestic tourism spending increased 1.0% in the second quarter.

Solid expansion in tourism domestic demand

Canadians increased their spending on most other tourism commodities, notably vehicle fuel, accommodation and travel services.

Spending by international visitors declines

Spending by international visitors to Canada fell 1.4% in real terms in the second quarter. This decline followed a strong gain in the first quarter that was related to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.

Note to readers

Growth rates of tourism spending and gross domestic product are expressed in real terms (that is, adjusted for price change) as well as adjusted for seasonal variations, unless otherwise indicated. Employment data are also seasonally adjusted. Associated percentage changes are presented at quarterly rates.

The National tourism indicators are funded by the Canadian Tourism Commission.

Spending by international visitors down

Outlays of international visitors on passenger air transport fell 2.7%. Spending on vehicle fuel was 4.1% lower compared with the previous quarter, as same-day travel from the United States continued its downward trend.

Spending by international visitors was also down in most other categories, notably recreation and entertainment and travel services.

Tourism gross domestic product expands

Tourism gross domestic product (GDP) increased 0.9% in the second quarter, the fourth consecutive quarterly advance. Gains were registered across most tourism industries, notably in transportation (+1.2%).

The strength in tourism GDP did not translate into employment, however, as tourism jobs declined 0.5% compared with the first quarter. Job gains in the recreation and entertainment and non-tourism industries were not enough to compensate for job losses in other tourism industries.

Available on CANSIM: tables 387-0001 to 387-0010.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 1910.

The second quarter 2010 issue of National Tourism Indicators, Quarterly Estimates (13-009-X, free) is now available from the Key resource module of our website under Publications.

For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact the information officer (613-951-3640; iead-info-dcrd@statcan.gc.ca), Income and Expenditure Accounts Division.

Table 1

National tourism indicators
  Second quarter 2009 Third quarter 2009 Fourth quarter 2009 First quarter 2010 Second quarter 2010 First quarter to second quarter 2010
  Seasonally adjusted
  millions of dollars at 2002 prices % change
Total tourism expenditures            
Tourism demand in Canada 15,520 15,698 15,860 16,078 16,323 1.5
Tourism demand by non-residents 3,235 3,074 3,082 3,227 3,183 -1.4
Tourism domestic demand 12,285 12,625 12,776 12,851 13,140 2.2
Transportation            
Tourism demand in Canada 5,963 6,063 6,118 6,156 6,358 3.3
Tourism demand by non-residents 914 852 850 931 904 -2.9
Tourism domestic demand 5,049 5,212 5,267 5,225 5,454 4.4
Accommodation            
Tourism demand in Canada 2,254 2,319 2,354 2,390 2,424 1.4
Tourism demand by non-residents 770 749 755 770 768 -0.3
Tourism domestic demand 1,484 1,569 1,599 1,620 1,656 2.2
Food and beverage services            
Tourism demand in Canada 2,203 2,195 2,207 2,236 2,233 -0.1
Tourism demand by non-residents 518 501 503 524 521 -0.6
Tourism domestic demand 1,685 1,695 1,703 1,712 1,712 0.0
Other tourism commodities            
Tourism demand in Canada 2,437 2,429 2,444 2,477 2,487 0.4
Tourism demand by non-residents 375 354 354 369 359 -2.7
Tourism domestic demand 2,062 2,075 2,090 2,108 2,128 0.9
Other commodities            
Tourism demand in Canada 2,663 2,692 2,737 2,819 2,821 0.1
Tourism demand by non-residents 658 618 620 633 631 -0.3
Tourism domestic demand 2,005 2,074 2,117 2,186 2,190 0.2

Table 2

National tourism indicators
  Second quarter 2009 Third quarter 2009 Fourth quarter 2009 First quarter 2010 Second quarter 2010 First quarter to second quarter 2010
  Seasonally adjusted
  millions of dollars at current prices % change
Total tourism expenditures            
Tourism demand in Canada 17,061 17,351 17,760 18,248 18,274 0.1
Tourism demand by non-residents 3,543 3,384 3,421 3,636 3,546 -2.5
Tourism domestic demand 13,518 13,967 14,340 14,612 14,728 0.8
Transportation            
Tourism demand in Canada 6,355 6,515 6,766 6,856 6,943 1.3
Tourism demand by non-residents 938 872 890 973 940 -3.4
Tourism domestic demand 5,417 5,642 5,877 5,883 6,003 2.0
Accommodation            
Tourism demand in Canada 2,470 2,538 2,603 2,743 2,684 -2.2
Tourism demand by non-residents 841 821 833 884 851 -3.7
Tourism domestic demand 1,629 1,717 1,769 1,859 1,833 -1.4
Food and beverage services            
Tourism demand in Canada 2,652 2,666 2,692 2,745 2,739 -0.2
Tourism demand by non-residents 621 608 615 644 638 -0.9
Tourism domestic demand 2,031 2,058 2,079 2,101 2,101 0.0
Other tourism commodities            
Tourism demand in Canada 2,723 2,728 2,757 2,804 2,808 0.1
Tourism demand by non-residents 443 422 421 442 428 -3.2
Tourism domestic demand 2,280 2,306 2,336 2,362 2,380 0.8
Other commodities            
Tourism demand in Canada 2,861 2,904 2,942 3,100 3,100 0.0
Tourism demand by non-residents 700 661 662 693 689 -0.6
Tourism domestic demand 2,161 2,244 2,279 2,407 2,411 0.2