News for Asia

Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) released (05-May-2014) its 2013 annual report, noting leisure travel accounted for almost one-fifth of Canada’s international trade in services, while overall tourism export revenue grew by 2.5% to reach CAD16.4 billion (USD15.05 million). Canada's economy received CAD545 million (USD500.28 million) in tourism revenue, CAD72 million (USD66.09 million) toward federal tax revenue, while 4416 jobs were created or protected in Canadian tourism businesses. Some 2.56 million visitors visited Canada from CTC’s 10 leisure markets in 2013, an increase of 2.9%. In 2013, CTC stated Canada welcomed 16.6 million international overnight visitors from the US and all other markets, up 2% over 2012, largely driven by increased visitation from Asia. Growth from the ten leisure markets where the CTC actively invests also grew, seeing a 2.9% rise, and totalling 73,000 visitors. CTC noted this increase is attributable to significant growth from emerging markets, including China, Mexico and South Korea, while more modest increases were seen from the core markets of France and Australia, with a slight decline from the UK. CTC reported the key drivers for growth include lower oil prices and increased air capacity, with over 150,000 seats added to the existing capacity in 2013. CTC reported the status of the following markets:

• UK: 589,000 travellers spent CAD788 million (USD723.33 million) in 2013, an increase of 0.4% in revenue over 2012;
• France: 426,500 travellers spent CAD537 million (USD492.93 million) in 2013, an increase of 1.4% in revenue over 2012;
• Germany: 276,200 travellers spent CAD421 million (USD386.45 million) in 2013, an increase of 1.0% in revenue over 2012;
• Australia: 224,600 travellers spent CAD398 million (USD365.34 million)  in 2013, an increase of 1.2% in revenue over 2012;
• China: 334,100 travellers spent CAD603 million (USD553.52 million) in 2013, an increase of 24.2% in revenue over 2012;
• India: 162,700 travellers spent CAD171 million (USD156.97 million) in 2013, a decrease of 0.8% in revenue over 2012;
• Brazil: 78,600 travellers spent CAD160 million (USD146.87 million) in 2013, an increase of 5.2% in revenue over 2012;
• Japan: 188,900 travellers spent CAD302 million (USD277.22 million) in 2013, a decrease of 3.1% in revenue over 2012;
• Mexico: 139,700 travellers spent CAD216 million (USD198.27 million) in 2013, an increase of 10.8% in revenue over 2012;
• South Korea: 142,000 travellers spent CAD247 (USD226.73 million) million in 2013, an increase of 5.8% in revenue over 2012. [more - original PR]

Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) reported (05-Mar-2014) strong performances from the China, Mexico and India markets helped finish 2013 "on a high note". CTC’s latest global tourism watch report stated Chinese passengers travelling to Canada increased by 24% in Dec-2013, Indian passengers increased by 9%, arrivals from South Korea fell 7%, while Japan's market increased by 2%. The US market declined by 4% while the Mexican market increased by 13% in Dec-2013. Germany's market grew by 7%, passengers from France increased by 6%, although the UK market decreased by 2% in Dec-2013. Total Canadian outbound travel for 2013 increased 2% year-over-year. [more - original PR]

CTC Aviation Training stated (25-Nov-2011) it is experiencing strong business growth on the back of some significant international contracts. The latest agreement to be signed is a long-term contract with Royal Brunei Airlines to train all the carrier's new pilots. The agreement follows new business from British Airways and Monarch Airlines secured over the last few months. In Oct-2011, Monarch Airlines and CTC Aviation announced a new partnership to deliver Multi-crew Pilot Licence (MPL) training together. Monarch and CTC have a long-standing relationship and almost one quarter of Monarch’s current pilot workforce are graduates of CTC’s cadet training programme. Monarch has selected CTC to exclusively supply all their future cadet pilots under a newly launched cadet training programme. In Aug-2011, CTC signed a long-term agreement with British Airways to manage the whole of the airline’s new ‘Future Pilot Programme’. Cadets selected by CTC and British Airways will undergo training at CTC’s UK and New Zealand training centres. [more - original PR]