National tourism indicators, first quarter 2015
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Released: 2015-06-26
$20.0 billion
First quarter 2015
0.8% 
(quarterly change)
Tourism spending in Canada rose 0.8% in the first quarter, after increasing 0.7% in the fourth quarter of 2014.
Spending by both Canadians at home and international visitors in Canada was up.
Chart 1
Tourism spending in Canada increases for an eighth consecutive quarter
Canadian tourists continue to spend at home
Tourism spending by Canadians at home rose 1.0% in the first quarter, the largest increase since the first quarter of 2014.
Outlays on most tourism goods and services were up, with air transportation (+2.3%) contributing the most to the increase. Conversely, Canadians spent less on food and beverage services (-0.2%) and on travel services (-0.7%). Tourism spending on non-tourism goods and services, including groceries and clothing, was unchanged in the first quarter.
Chart 2
Tourism spending by Canadians at home increases
Spending by international visitors up
Spending by international visitors in Canada rose 0.3% in the first quarter.
Visitors to Canada spent more on the majority of tourism goods and services, with passenger air transport (+0.6%) and accommodation (+0.5%) contributing the most to the stronger outlays. In contrast, international visitors in Canada spent 0.4% less on food and beverage services in the first quarter. Tourism spending on non-tourism goods was unchanged.
Chart 3
Increase in tourism spending by international visitors
Tourism gross domestic product increases
Tourism gross domestic product (GDP) grew 0.4% in the first quarter, continuing an upward trend that began in the third quarter of 2009. By comparison, national GDP declined 0.2% in the first quarter.
Transportation (+1.1%) was the largest contributor to the overall growth in tourism GDP. Conversely, the food and beverage services industries edged down. Tourism GDP in non-tourism industries was unchanged in the first quarter.
Tourism employment rose 0.4%, accounting for 633,900 jobs in the first quarter. This continues the upward trend that began in the second quarter of 2012.
Increases in tourism jobs in food and beverage services (+0.9%) and accommodation (+0.7%) offset declines in air transportation (-2.3%) and travel services (-1.5%).
Note to readers
Growth rates of tourism spending and gross domestic product are expressed in real terms (that is, adjusted for price changes) as well as adjusted for seasonal variations, unless otherwise indicated. Employment data are also seasonally adjusted. For information on seasonal adjustment, see Seasonally adjusted data – Frequently asked questions.
Associated percentage changes are presented at quarterly rates unless otherwise noted.
The national tourism indicators are funded by the Canadian Tourism Commission.
Data on the national tourism indicators for the second quarter will be released on September 25.
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Contact information
For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (613-951-4636; statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@canada.ca).
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