Destination Canada has announced the introduction of four new tourism corridors in 2024, building on the success of its Tourism Corridor Strategy Programme, first piloted last year. 

According to a press statement by Destination Canada, the programme aims to strengthen Canada’s tourism industry by fostering regional collaborations and creating iconic travel routes across provinces and territories. 

The board says it is a key initiative under Destination Canada’s 2030 Tourism Strategy, which seeks to propel the country back into the top seven global tourism destinations.

These four new corridors are designed to offer diverse and enriching experiences for visitors:

Cycle Ontario and Quebec 

This corridor connects existing cycling routes between Ottawa, Cornwall, and Montreal, offering year-round, eco-friendly biking experiences. It also aims to benefit local businesses, artisans and indigenous communities involved in tourism.

This region receives about USD 700 million annually in tourist spending and 1.6 million nights which include cycling during the stay. There are over 7,000 jobs which are related to cycling tourism.

Field to Fork : Saskatchewan Manitoba Agritourism 

Highlighting the rich agricultural heritage of these provinces, this corridor focuses on farm-to-table culinary experiences and agritourism. 

Visitors will learn about Canada’s food production and enjoy local culinary festivals, promoting deeper engagement with rural communities.

Destination Canada’s research underscores that trying local food and drink is the most frequently desired travel activity among global travellers, as per Global Traveller Research Programme 2023.

Northern Sky Corridor (Alberta, Northwest Territories)

Connecting Edmonton to the Northwest Territories, this route showcases the natural beauty and cultural richness of Canada’s north. The corridor will address gaps in tourism infrastructure and explore partnerships to expand offerings in the area.

This corridor connects to Canada’s north, where the demand for experiences exceeds supply. The development of this corridor will identify product gaps, explore transportation partnerships, and identify infrastructure needs to support the creation of new itineraries.

According to Destination Canada’s 2023 Global Traveller Research Programme, 67.7 pc of international travellers to Canada are very interested in experiencing an indigenous cultural experience or tourism activity in Canada.

Juan de Fuca Corridor (British Columbia, Washington State, USA)

The first cross-border corridor, it partners with the Pacific Northwest Economic Region to boost tourism between British Columbia and Washington State. 

This corridor is expected to attract more visitors from the US, Canada’s largest international market, with 16.2 million US travellers projected to visit by 2025.

The tourism promotion organisation says that the Tourism Corridor Strategy Programme aims to enhance Canada’s global appeal, offering visitors unique reasons to explore lesser-known regions while promoting economic growth, job creation, and indigenous inclusion. 

Marsha Walden

Marsha Walden, President and CEO of Destination Canada, emphasised the importance of strategic investments to create travel itineraries that align with the broader goals of both visitors and local communities.

“Tourism contributes to the wealth and wellbeing of all of Canada and community is at the heart of the Tourism Corridor Strategy Program. Alongside our regional partners, we work directly with local, grassroots organizations to create long-term destination development strategies, and identify the products, services, workforce, access, infrastructure and experiences required to both delight visitors and enrich the lives of locals,” says Walden.

“To stay competitive, Canada needs exceptional travel itineraries and experiences that reflect the essence of our country. To create them, we must attract strategic investments, from the private sector and all levels of government, that grow tourism in alignment with the interests of travellers and communities’ broader goals,” Walden adds.