The President and Chief Executive Officer of Destination Canada is urging Canadians to plan their future travel within Canada. Marsha Walden says Canadians can play a critical role in bolstering the tourism economy which includes creating jobs and supporting local business by keeping their tourism dollars at home.

Destination Canada research shows recovery for the tourism industry from COVID-19 is forecast to take years and their search data shows Canadians have a high interest in international travel if safe to do so.

The organization estimates that if Canadians shift two-thirds of their planned spend on international leisure travel towards domestic tourism it will make up for the estimated $19 billion shortfall facing the visitor economy and help accelerate recovery by one year. Destination Canada states that one in every 10 Canadian jobs is tied to tourism and women, immigrants, and youth, who make up the engine of the visitor economy, have been hardest hit by the impact of COVID-19.