OTTAWA, Nov. 29, 2017 /CNW/ - International Visa
cardholders spent $4.4 USD billion in
Canada from May to September 2017, according to the 2017 Summer
Travel Snapshot released today by Visa Canada and the Tourism
Industry Association of Canada
(TIAC). The report highlights a 12.1% increase over what visitors
spent in 2016, with the United
States once again ranked the top spender, followed by
China and France.
Quick facts from the 2017 Summer Travel Snapshot:
- A breakdown of U.S. visitor spending by state reveals
California, New York and Washington are leading for the third year in a
row
- The top five countries with visitors to Canada - USA,
China, France, the UK and Germany
- Insights into international visitor spending reveal they spend
almost seven times more on sit-down restaurants than quick-serve
restaurants (i.e. fast food).
"Visa Canada is pleased to once
again partner with the Tourism Industry Association of Canada to present the annual Summer Travel
Snapshot," said Stacey Madge,
Country Manager and President, Visa Canada. "As Canada sees an increase in international
visitors, we will continue to deliver innovations that provide
travellers' with safe and seamless new ways to pay. Whether they
are shopping in store, online or on-the go, Canadians travelling
abroad and visitors to our country can count on Visa's fast,
convenient and secure payment experience."
"The Travel Snapshot provides invaluable insights tourism
businesses are able to capitalize on, as visitor spending patterns
and impact from market trends are reflected in the numbers" said
Charlotte Bell, President and CEO,
TIAC. "With 2018 forecasting even higher numbers of expected
inbound travel, this report aligns with the path TIAC has set for
companies across Canada to be
ready to meet the demands of an increasingly competitive
international visitor market."
With over 200,000 businesses in Canada employing 1.7 million Canadians, the
tourism industry is a major economic driver worth $91.6 billion and is Canada's largest service export, generating an
estimated $20 billion in export
revenues annually. Tourism is Canada's largest employer of youth with over
half of the workforce under the age of 35. Summer 2017 has
been a great year for tourism, with visitation increasing by more
than 340 000 international travellers between May and August. TIAC
believes tourism's market trends pave the way for Canadian
businesses to remain a catalyst of economic prosperity and
employment across the country.
Please click here for the full Summer Travel Snapshot
report.
About TIAC
The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) is the only national
organization representing the full cross section of the tourism
industry in Canada. Our membership
is derived of businesses representing transportation,
accommodations, destinations and attractions from coast to coast to
coast. TIAC's mission seeks to encourage a healthy Canadian tourism
market by increasing international visitation to Canada.
About Visa Inc.
Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) is the world's leader in digital
payments. Our mission is to connect the world through the most
innovative, reliable and secure payment network - enabling
individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. Our advanced
global processing network, VisaNet, provides secure and reliable
payments around the world, and is capable of handling more than
65,000 transaction messages a second. The company's relentless
focus on innovation is a catalyst for the rapid growth of connected
commerce on any device, and a driving force behind the dream of a
cashless future for everyone, everywhere. As the world moves from
analog to digital, Visa is applying our brand, products, people,
network and scale to reshape the future of commerce. For more
information,
visit visa.ca, visacorporate.tumblr.com and @VisaNewsCA.
SOURCE TOURISM INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF CANADA