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Industry
overview

Exterior of a Canadian hotel

Hotels are an economic driver across the country, contributing $32 billion annually to the economy, $13 billion annually to government revenue, and employing 320,000 Canadians. Hotels are anchor assets for Canada’s tourism infrastructure, ensuring the tourism economy can meet demand.

These long-term capital investments contribute directly to Canada’s core economic priorities: productivity, export diversification, and long‑term growth.

Canada’s hotel industry

Economic Impact Across Canada

Map showing hotel establishments.

Source: CBRE Hotels, Canada’s Hotel Industry 2025 Business Intelligence Report, updated May 2026. Economic-impact estimates are based on 2024 operating results.

Tourism & Canada’s economy

A major industry. A major export.

Tourism is at the forefront of Canada’s economy

Domestic and international tourism revenue, compared with selected industries · CAD billions

Tourism revenue Hotel industry revenue included within tourism
View the data and sources
Revenue figures from the supplied economic comparison graphic
Industry Revenue (CAD)
Tourism (domestic & international) $124.4B
Hotel industry — included within tourism (2023) $29.9B
Aluminum$16.9B
Steel$15.0B
Forestry & logging$11.7B
Fish & seafood$7.6B

Sources listed in the supplied graphic: Destination Canada & Tourism Economics — The Value of Travel & Tourism in Canada; CBRE & HAC — Canada’s Hotel Industry: Business Intelligence Report; Canadian Steel Producers Association; Government of Canada — Aluminum Facts; Statistics Canada — Logging, 2023; Government of Canada — Canada’s Fish and Seafood Trade in 2023. Reporting years and revenue definitions vary across the source series. Hotel revenue includes rooms, food & beverage, and event space.

Tourism is one of Canada’s largest export industries

2025 export revenue · CAD billions

View the data and sources
2025 export revenue from the supplied graphic
Industry Revenue (CAD)
Tourism$34.9B
Forestry products$34.6B
Aircraft & spacecraft$28.2B
Aluminum$15.6B
Fish & seafood$8.5B

Sources: Tourism — Destination Canada; Forestry products — Forest Products Association of Canada; Aircraft & spacecraft — Aerospace Industries Association of Canada; Aluminum — Natural Resources Canada; Fish & seafood — Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Our advocacy priorities

COMPETITIVE INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT

Removing barriers to hotel renovations and new construction.

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International visitation

Regaining Canada’s share of international travel.

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Grow our Workforce

Filling the workforce gaps our domestic labour market can’t.

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Policy Briefs

Housing Supply

Mixed-use hotel and rental developments can add much-needed housing while expanding Canada’s tourism capacity. Explore how targeted changes to federal financing rules could unlock these projects and create more long-term rental homes, hotel rooms and jobs.

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Hotel Workforce Shortages

Persistent labour shortages limit hotels’ ability to meet demand, maintain services and invest in growth. Explore the workforce challenges facing the industry and Hotels Canada’s recommendations to support domestic hiring, access to international workers and staff housing.

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International Competitiveness

International visitors bring new spending into Canadian businesses and communities. Explore Canada’s tourism export opportunity and Hotels Canada’s recommendations to strengthen destination marketing, attract international business events and regain global market share.

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Hotel Investment Climate

An overview of the barriers holding back hotel construction, renovation and reinvestment in Canada. Explore the investment outlook and Hotels Canada’s recommendations for competitive tax policies that keep capital in Canada and support new development.

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Canada’s Hotel Industry: An Overview

A snapshot of Canada’s hotel industry and its contribution to investment, jobs, government revenue and tourism. Explore the industry’s Canadian ownership, economic footprint and role as essential infrastructure for the visitor economy.

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CONTACT US

For more information on Hotels Canada’s policy recommendations and advocacy priorities, please contact us.

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