April 2026

Dear TIAC Members, 

This month’s newsletter is a reminder of both the strength of Canada’s tourism sector and the work still ahead. New data confirms that tourism continues to support jobs, businesses, and local economies across the country, even amid ongoing economic and political uncertainty.  At the same time, challenges such as labour shortages continue to limit our sector’s full potential.  

Thank you to our

INDUSTRY PATRONS

That is why TIAC remains focused on practical, results-driven advocacy. Our new Visa Trend Tracker holds government accountable to the pressures facing the sector, while insights from our recent member survey help ensure our advocacy reflects the experiences and priorities of our members. We’re bringing tourism’s local impact directly to Members of Parliament and ensuring our industry’s voice is heard where decisions are made.  



As we look ahead to National Tourism Week starting April 20, we all have a role to play in making sure tourism’s message is recognized. By coming together and speaking with one voice, we can reinforce just how important this sector is to Canada’s economy, communities, and identity — and why it must remain a national priority. 

Sébastien Benedict 

President and CEO 

Tourism Industry Association of Canada 

TIAC launches the Visa Trend Tracker 

This month, we launched the Visa Trend Tracker, a new public tool that monitors Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) published processing times for visitor visas and other entry permits. Updated weekly, the tracker compiles IRCC data into a clear record of system performance. 

The Visa Trend Tracker gives the tourism sector, policymakers, businesses, and the public a clear picture of how Canada’s visitor visa system is performing over time. It highlights trends, inconsistencies, and gaps between IRCC’s 14-day service standard and actual processing times. 

The data we’ve gathered has informed our three recommendations to make processing more efficient and predictable: 

• Expand electronic travel authorization (eTA) eligibility to additional countries where security can be maintained; 
• Meet published visitor visa service standards so travellers have timelines they can plan around; and 
• Better resource the system during surge periods, including for processing capacity, appointment availability, and access to biometrics. 

StatsCan data stresses importance of tourism in Canada

New Statistics Canada data on tourism’s performance in 2025 shows just how important our sector continues to be to communities across Canada. Even in the face of ongoing economic and political uncertainty, tourism remains resilient and continues to create jobs, attract visitors, and generate significant spending. The latest results show...

• Tourism remained a major economic driver in 2025, supporting communities and businesses across Canada.
• 2.12 million Canadians were employed in tourism, with 63,000 new jobs added.
• $132.9 billion in tourism spending helped sustain 280,010 businesses nationwide.
• 19.9 million visitors travelled to Canada in 2025.
• The sector saw 5.6% overall growth, with international visitation up 9.1%.
• At the same time, U.S. visitation fell 4.6%, underscoring the importance of broadening Canada’s visitor markets.

These results are encouraging and show what our sector can achieve, but they also reinforce the need for greater federal investment and prioritization to help tourism realize its full economic, trade, and cultural potential. TIAC will continue championing the policies our industry needs to thrive.

We encourage you to use and share the fact sheet to support your own advocacy and business conversations.

The Canada Celebrates tour kicks off in June

We’re proud to have pitched in to bring this community-building soccer festival to life, taking it to 34 communities and countless fans from coast to coast.

This month-long, cross-country sport event is tourism in action, powering Canada’s economy and culture with every stop.

The event and its fans will contribute to both local businesses and national pride. Everyone who travels within Canada for a game is part of our team.

One-of-a-kind moments like these prove that now is the time to invest in a competitive tourism sector that can show the best of Canada to the world.

Temporary Foreign Worker Program Update for Rural Employers

On March 13, the federal government announced temporary new measures under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program that may provide added flexibility for rural employers facing ongoing labour shortages, particularly in communities where access to workforce remains a challenge.  

While these temporary measures may offer short-term relief, they do not address the broader workforce realities facing tourism businesses across Canada. That is why TIAC, in consultation with Tourism HR Canada, is preparing a formal budget recommendation to the federal government to establish a dedicated Temporary Foreign Worker pathway for the tourism industry. 

We’ll continue to share news as it becomes available, and you’re welcome to contact us for more information at TIAC_Advocacy@tiac-aitc.ca.   

Membership Survey Results  

Last month, TIAC conducted its 2026 Member Satisfaction and Policy Insights Survey to better understand the pressures affecting members across the country. 

What we heard is clear: Rising operating costs are the top concern for members across Canada. Members reinforced the importance of strengthening the tourism workforce, unlocking capital, improving transportation systems, and building more demand for Canadian destinations and attractions. 

Member feedback is central to TIAC’s advocacy work. We’re turning these insights into action to advance policies that strengthen competitiveness and deliver meaningful results for Canada’s $132 billion tourism industry. 

Representing your interests

TIAC employees met with MP Wade Chang (centre)

TIAC employees met with MP Ernie Klassen (centre)

Through our meetings with Members of Parliament, TIAC is bringing the local tourism story to Ottawa. We’re putting riding-level data in front of MPs and proving how tourism drives jobs, businesses, and economic activity in their communities. Our efforts are strengthening awareness of the sector’s value and the need for greater advocacy for tourism at the federal level.

Senate Inquiry on value of tourism

Tourism is also gaining important attention in the Senate through an ongoing Inquiry into the nation-building value of tourism in Canada. First introduced by Senator Karen Sorensen, the Inquiry is helping build awareness among federal decision-makers of tourism’s economic, cultural, and community impact. It is another important opportunity to reinforce that tourism is a strategic national asset and should be treated as such in federal policy and decision-making.