Canada has a large domestic and foreign tourism industry. The second largest country in the world, Canada’s incredible geographical variety is a significant tourist attractor. Much of the country’s tourism is centered in the following (busiest) regions: Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver/Whistler, Niagara Falls, Vancouver Island, Calgary/Canadian Rockies, British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, and the national capital region Ottawa. The large cities are known for their culture, diversity, as well as the many national parks and historic sites.
In 2012, over 16 million tourists arrived in Canada, bringing US$17.4 billion in international tourism receipts to the economy. Domestic and international tourism combined directly contributes 1% of Canada’s total GDP and supports 309,000 jobs in the country.