Canada prepares to welcome a record number of visitors from China next year

Canada and China enjoy strong people-to-people ties. More than 1.8 million Canadians have some Chinese ancestry, and Mandarin and Cantonese are the most spoken languages in Canada after English and French. Next year, Canada will have a unique opportunity to showcase all of its amazing and exciting attractions to Chinese visitors, while helping to create well-paying middle-class jobs in communities across Canada.

As both countries gear up for the 2018 Canada-China Year of Tourism (CCYT), the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism, and Li Jinzao, Chairman of the China National Tourism Administration, unveiled the official CCYT logo during an event at the headquarters of Weibo, one of China's largest online media companies.

The logo, which will be used throughout the year to raise awareness of the Year of Tourism, is based on circle designs found in both Canadian and Chinese cultures, representing unity and collaboration while reinforcing the strong people-to-people ties that link our countries. The logo includes images of a panda and a polar bear, animals of national significance for both countries.Canadian tourism and hospitality businesses interested in promoting the Canada-China Year of Tourism are encouraged to download the logo from Canada.ca/ccyt2018. Additional information on how businesses can prepare to welcome more Chinese tourists is also available on the site.

Quotes

“I am happy to join Prime Minister Trudeau and my colleagues on this important trip to China. Canada’s relationship with China is built on strong family and people-to-people ties. Diversity is our strength, and the Canada-China Year of Tourism is a fabulous opportunity to build on these ties and showcase the many amazing events and attractions for which Canada is world-renowned. I am looking forward to welcoming a record number of Chinese visitors in 2018, which means more middle-class jobs for Canadians.”

– The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism

Quick Facts

• Tourism is Canada’s largest service export and employs one in ten Canadians.
• China is Canada’s third-largest tourism source market, behind the United States and the United Kingdom.
• As part of Canada’s New Tourism Vision, Canada has committed to doubling the number of Chinese tourists by 2021.
• In 2016, 610,100 Chinese nationals visited Canada and their spending totalled $1.5 billion.