Impact of the Visitor Economy on Canadian Exports
The visitor economy plays a critical role in Canada’s broader economic and trade performance. The Impact of the Visitor Economy on Canadian Exports, commissioned by Destinations International’s Canadian Destination Leadership Council and conducted in partnership with EY-Parthenon, provides new evidence of how inbound travel contributes to export growth and drives Canada’s international competitiveness.
Using a robust econometric model grounded in more than two decades of data, the study finds a statistically significant relationship between inbound visitor volumes and Canadian exports. The analysis estimates that a 1% increase in non-resident visitors to Canada is associated with more than $1 billion in additional exports over a two-year period.
The report explores the mechanisms through which the visitor economy supports trade and export development. These include strengthening international connectivity and trade corridors, leveraging business events as platforms for deal-making and investment, supporting trade diversification into emerging markets and reinforcing Canada’s national brand
The study also highlights the unique role destination organizations play in this ecosystem. Canada’s destination organizations connect Canadian firms to global markets, facilitate commercial relationships and create conditions that support long-term export growth.
This report is intended for destination leaders, economic development professionals, and policymakers seeking to better understand—and articulate—the strategic value of the visitor economy as a driver of trade, investment and national competitiveness.