Tourism spending in Canada rose 1.0% in the third quarter following a 0.1% increase in the previous quarter. Higher tourism spending by Canadians at home more than offset a decline in spending by international visitors in Canada.

From the second quarter of 2009 to the third quarter of 2012, tourism spending in Canada increased in every quarter. During this period, it rose 11.6%.

Tourism spending by Canadians at home continues to rise

Tourism spending by Canadians at home rose 1.6% in the third quarter, following a 0.4% increase in the previous quarter.

Outlays on most tourism goods and services were up, most notably on passenger air transport. Spending on non-tourism items, such as groceries and clothing, was also higher.

Chart 2 
Increased tourism spending by Canadians at home

Chart description: Increased tourism spending by Canadians at home

CSV version of chart 2

Lower spending by international visitors

Spending by international visitors in Canada fell 1.5% in the third quarter following a 1.3% decline in the second quarter. Overnight travel to Canada from both the United States and overseas countries was lower.

Outlays decreased on passenger air transport, accommodation and food and beverage services. Spending on other tourism and non-tourism goods and services was also lower.

Chart 3 
Tourism spending by international visitors to Canada down

Chart description: Tourism spending by international visitors to Canada down

CSV version of chart 3

Tourism gross domestic product expands

Tourism gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 0.7% in the third quarter, the 13th consecutive quarterly increase.

All tourism industries posted gains, notably transportation. Tourism GDP in non-tourism industries was also higher.

Tourism employment was up 0.9% in the third quarter.

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. Associated percentage changes are presented at quarterly rates unless otherwise noted.

With the third quarter 2012 release of the National Tourism Indicators (NTI), all data from the first quarter and second quarter of 2012 have been revised.

The NTI are funded by the Canadian Tourism Commission.

Table 1
National tourism indicators - Seasonally adjusted
Third quarter 2011 Fourth quarter 2011 First quarter 2012 Second quarter 2012 Third quarter 2012 Second quarter to third quarter 2012
millions of dollars at 2002 prices % change
Total tourism expenditures
Tourism demand in Canada 16,754 16,946 17,019 17,034 17,210 1.0
Tourism demand by non-residents 3,259 3,279 3,329 3,286 3,236 -1.5
Tourism domestic demand 13,499 13,669 13,690 13,748 13,974 1.6
Transportation
Tourism demand in Canada 6,609 6,717 6,710 6,673 6,797 1.9
Tourism demand by non-residents 1,005 1,003 1,021 999 980 -1.9
Tourism domestic demand 5,603 5,714 5,689 5,674 5,817 2.5
Accommodation
Tourism demand in Canada 2,428 2,440 2,464 2,472 2,473 0.0
Tourism demand by non-residents 760 774 788 781 766 -1.9
Tourism domestic demand 1,669 1,665 1,676 1,691 1,707 0.9
Food and beverage services
Tourism demand in Canada 2,273 2,289 2,305 2,315 2,325 0.4
Tourism demand by non-residents 511 519 528 523 518 -1.0
Tourism domestic demand 1,765 1,770 1,777 1,792 1,807 0.8
Other tourism commodities
Tourism demand in Canada 2,525 2,554 2,588 2,587 2,598 0.4
Tourism demand by non-residents 353 355 361 360 355 -1.4
Tourism domestic demand 2,174 2,201 2,227 2,227 2,243 0.7
Other commodities
Tourism demand in Canada 2,919 2,946 2,952 2,987 3,017 1.0
Tourism demand by non-residents 630 628 631 623 617 -1.0
Tourism domestic demand 2,288 2,319 2,321 2,364 2,400 1.5
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