Amusement and recreation industry, 2023

Released: 2024-11-04

The amusement and recreation subsector grows for the third straight year in 2023

Businesses in the amusement and recreation subsector reported a 15.2% increase in operating revenue, earning $15.6 billion in 2023. This marked the third consecutive year of growth for the subsector, as demand for in-person recreational activities has remained elevated following the initial shock of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Revenue for amusement parks and arcades reaches all-time high

In 2023, the amusement parks and arcades industry has benefited from increased investment in new attractions and a sharper focus on the guest experience.

Operating revenue for the amusement parks and arcades industry grew 12.4% to $1.1 billion in 2023, 42.6% higher than before the pandemic in 2019.

Operating expenses increased 11.5% year over year to $911.2 million in 2023. With industry revenues outpacing expenditure growth, the operating profit margin grew to 17.4%.

Salaries, wages, commissions and benefits increased 16.2% to $299.9 million in 2023.

Golf remains in the green

Golf continues to be popular among Canadians, attracting many new and returning players.

Operators of golf courses and country clubs saw their operating revenue grow 9.6% to $3.8 billion in 2023, exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 45.5%.

Operating expenses increased 9.2% to $3.4 billion in 2023, resulting in an operating profit margin of 10.7%.

Salaries, wages, commissions and benefits made up the largest proportion of operating expenses (41.4%), reaching $1.4 billion in 2023.

Ski revenues continue to climb

The 2022/2023 ski season marked the first time since the beginning of the pandemic that skiing facilities could operate without any public health-related restrictions.

Revenues for this industry were lifted by an increase in local skiers and the return of international visitors, as the number of non-resident visitors entering Canada during the ski season (November 2022 to April 2023) increased 143.0%, compared with the same period a year earlier.

Operating revenue from skiing facilities grew 16.4% to $1.5 billion in 2023, while operating expenses rose 21.0% to $1.3 billion, leading to an operating profit margin of 16.2%.

Salaries, wages, commissions and benefits increased 18.9% to $528.8 million in 2023.

Fitness industry gains strength

The pandemic caused significant disruptions to the operation of fitness and recreational sports centres.

After a partial recovery in 2022, this industry saw revenues surpass pre-pandemic levels by 11.4% in 2023.

Despite inflationary pressures in the industry, with the Consumer Price Index reporting an increase of 14.7% in prices for the use of recreational facilities and services from 2019 to 2023, many Canadians have returned to the gym.

Fitness and recreational sports centres generated $5.0 billion in operating revenue in 2023, up 19.6% from the previous year.

Operating expenses rose at a slower rate, up 16.0% to $4.7 billion in 2023. This led to a profit margin of 5.8%.

Salaries, wages, commissions and benefits rose 16.6% to $1.8 billion in 2023.

Looking forward to 2024

Going forward, the amusement and recreation subsector will have to adapt to evolving economic and environmental conditions.

In 2024, many parts of Canada experienced an unusually mild winter, leading some skiing facilities to close early and allowing some golf courses to start their season early.

An increased focus on health and well-being is expected to benefit all recreational activities, including fitness and sports facilities.

Contact information

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