Several members of TIAC's leadership took part in a unique trade mission to India organized by Industry Canada late last month, meeting with government officials and tour operators in the Asian state.

 

The mission was intended to capitalize on the compelling growth opportunity represented by the Indian tourist market.  The Indian middle class represents one of the fastest-growing outbound travel markets in the world, and it is expected that visits to Canada will continue to increase in the years to come.

However, the competition for this emerging pool of Indian travellers is fierce, with Canada's major competitors all stepping up their international marketing investments.

  

Statistics Canada has released a number of key year-end indicators that altogether help to paint a telling picture of the state of Canada's tourism industry in 2012.

 

Canada showed modest growth in international visitor arrivals in 2012, edging up 1.8% to 16.3 million visitors.

Meanwhile, Canada's international travel deficit (the difference between the amount of money spent by Canadians traveling abroad and the amount spent by international visitors arriving in Canada) reached a record $17.8B in 2012, an increase of $1.5B (6.5%) over 2011.  

  

 

An ABC Kiosk in Operation

The Canada Border Services Agency has expanded the Automated Border Clearance (ABC) Program once again, opening its first kiosks at Pearson International Airport's Terminal 3 with plans to further widen the program to the larger Terminal 1 by month's end. 

 

ABC uses self-service kiosk technology to safely and efficiently expedite the processing of Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada returning to Canada.  The innovative kiosks debuted last year in Montreal and Vancouver.

 

"By accelerating the processing of Canadian travelers returning home, the Automated Border Clearance (ABC) Program helps to shorten wait times and improves the travel experience for international visitors," said David Goldstein, TIAC President and CEO.  "I used the ABC kiosks recently at Trudeau Airport in Montreal and I found it to be a great experience."

 

"Canada's tourism industry looks forward to the continued expansion of the ABC program to major international air hubs in Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton and beyond."