Visit Oakville Celebrates World Tourism Day and the Power of Tourism to Build Stronger Communities

NEWS RELEASE

OAKVILLE – On World Tourism Day, Visit Oakville is celebrating the people, businesses, and experiences that make tourism an important contributor to Canada’s economy and an essential part of vibrant communities.

Tourism is about more than travel. It supports local businesses, creates jobs, encourages cultural exchange, and gives communities an opportunity to share the places, stories and experiences that make them unique.

In 2025, domestic and international visitors spent $140.5 billion in Canada, supporting more than 687,000 direct tourism jobs. Tourism accounted for 1.8% of Canada’s GDP, with tourism GDP growing by 2.5% compared with 1.7% growth across the Canadian economy. In Ontario, tourism drives more than $31 billion in economic activity each year and supports nearly 93,000 tourism businesses.  In Oakville, 6.8 percent of local jobs are directly involved in tourism.

“Tourism is more than attracting visitors – it is about creating opportunities for people and businesses in our community,” said Rebecca Edgar, Executive Director, Visit Oakville. “When visitors choose to stay in a hotel, dine at a local restaurant, shop in our business districts, or attend an event, that spending helps support local businesses and the people who make Oakville such a special place.”

Tourism Makes a Local Difference

Oakville welcomes more than two million overnight visitors each year from Canada and the United States, drawn by its waterfront, parks and trails, vibrant culinary scene, shopping districts, arts and culture, festivals, sporting events and year-round experiences.

Every visit creates an opportunity for local businesses to connect with new customers while encouraging visitors to explore more of what Oakville has to offer.

“Some of our most valuable tourism assets are the very things that make Oakville a great place to live,” added Edgar. “Our waterfront, parks and trails, local businesses, cultural organizations, restaurants, events and the people who bring these experiences to life all contribute to the character of our community.”

Looking ahead, Visit Oakville believes tourism growth should be thoughtful, sustainable, and beneficial to both visitors and residents. This means supporting local businesses, protecting natural and cultural assets, creating meaningful visitor experiences, and finding opportunities to encourage year-round visitation.

“Tourism is an investment in our community,” said Edgar. “When we welcome visitors, we are supporting local businesses and jobs, celebrating our culture and natural environment, and creating experiences that visitors remember and residents are proud to share. That is something worth celebrating not just on World Tourism Day, but every day.”

Stay up to date with Visit Oakville’s Instagram (@visitoakville) for an exciting World Tourism Day giveaway for your chance to win! 

To discover things to do, places to stay, local restaurants, events and experiences in Oakville, visit www.visitoakville.com.

About Visit Oakville:

Visit Oakville is an incorporated, not-for-profit, destination marketing organization (DMO). It is led by a volunteer Board of Directors representing the community. Visit Oakville aims to drive economic impact through marketing and partnerships, curating visitor experiences and advocating on behalf of Oakville’s tourism industry.

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