NLIS 7
September 25, 2001
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

 


 Ministers agree on a plan to strengthen the tourism industry

Federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for tourism met in St. John's today for the purpose of building a more effective relationship among levels of government to support the continued growth of Canada's tourism industry.

"The participants recognized that the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11 will have significant implications for Canada's tourism industry, which is an important component of this country's economic activity," said federal Industry Minister Brian Tobin. "Nonetheless, today's meeting demonstrates the strong, cooperative relationship the Government of Canada enjoys with its provincial and territorial counterparts � a relationship I hope to build upon in the months to come."

Ontario Tourism Minister Tim Hudak said: "The tragic events of September 11 have had an impact on the tourism industry of every province and territory. We will be working together now, more than ever, to maintain a strong and healthy tourism industry across Canada."

This meeting of the provinces and territories with Industry Minister Tobin, as the lead federal minister for tourism, is essential to developing mechanisms to address the fundamental concerns of the tourism industry. The meeting, attended by the tourism ministers of the governments of Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, Manitoba and Yukon, representing all of the provincial and territorial governments, is a follow-up to a meeting of the provincial and territorial ministers responsible for tourism in Toronto on May 14, 2001. 

At that time, provincial and territorial ministers agreed to move forward cooperatively and with a strong regard for the needs of the tourism industry, beginning with a call upon the federal government to take a more active role in ensuring that Canada gets its fair share of the worldwide tourism industry estimated at $1.5 trillion. The federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for tourism were united in their determination to make Canada a safe and desirable destination for foreign visitors. 

In St. John's, the ministers agreed on the need for stronger collaboration and cooperation among governments. Better, more innovative partnerships are crucial to advancing and sustaining economic competitiveness and growth in tourism across all regions. Building this industry is dependent upon long-term airline restructuring, support for an aggressive marketing campaign for Canada as a safe destination, and the need to concentrate on domestic and near-border marketing and travel. The meeting was also successful in building dialogue on a formal framework for federal involvement in future meetings. The provincial and territorial ministers have agreed to reconvene this winter to ensure this plan is on track. 

Canada's tourism industry is a key economic sector that annually generates $54 billion and 520,000 direct jobs in Canada.

Media contacts: Heidi Bonnell, Industry Canada, (613) 995-9001
                         Derek Tupling, Government of Ontario, (416) 327-4276

2001 09 25                                   5:00 p.m. 


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