MONTREAL — On May 4, Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, met virtually with her international colleagues at the G20 Tourism Ministers meeting, hosted by Italy. Acknowledging the serious disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, ministers discussed the tourism sector’s recovery plan, with specific attention paid to international collaboration.
During the meeting, Joly highlighted Canada’s support for the tourism sector. Through federal emergency-support programs, Canadian businesses and non-profit organizations in the tourism, arts and culture sectors have received approximately $15.4 billion in support. In addition, the 2021 federal budget proposes a support package totaling $1 billion over three years, which includes a $500-million Tourism Relief Fund to support the economic recovery of tourism businesses.
“The fact that the G20 has identified tourism as a priority area for discussion is a testament to the sector’s important contributions to the global economy and its role as an engine for job creation and future economic growth. Our government remains committed to supporting a strong economic recovery through existing federal emergency-support programs and through new investments that will draw visitors to towns and cities across the country, unleashing spending that stimulates local economies. I look forward to continuing to work with countries around the world to bring prosperity back to the tourism sector,” said Joly.
At the end of the meeting, G20 tourism ministers endorsed the G20 Rome Guidelines for the Future of Tourism, which includes decisive actions in seven key policy areas: safe mobility, crisis management, resilience, inclusiveness, green transformation, digital transition and investment and infrastructure.
