Tourism Winnipeg

Winnipeg The Conference Board of Canada in its Autumn 2012 Travel Markets Outlook estimates 2.4% growth in 2012's total overnight visits, with an increase in domestic visits (2.5%), including both business travellers (2.1%) and leisure travellers (2.7%). U.S. visits are expected to post growth at 2.0% and overseas visits to increase 1.3% compared to 2011. Overnight visitor spending grew by 5.1% For 2013, the Conference Board of Canada forecasts total overnight visits to Winnipeg will increase 3.2%. The projected increase in overnight visits is attributed to strong projected growth from overseas visitation (3.9%) and domestic demand in both business (4.0%) and leisure (3.6%) travel markets. There is strong growth expected in business travel as the city has seen an increase in citywide meetings and conventions. Leisure travel is expected to show strong growth with Nordik Spa-Nature opening this year and with upgrades to the Assiniboine Park Zoo. The Conference Board projects U.S. overnight travel to Winnipeg will remain stable in 2013, with minimal growth throughout the year and into 2014. A strong Canadian dollar and economic challenges in the U.S. continue to impact U.S. travel to Winnipeg and other metropolitan areas across the country. Total visitor spending from overnight travel is forecasted to grow by 5.8% in 2013. Number of citywide conventions, comparison 2012 | 2013 15 10 5 Delegate comparison, citywide conventions 2012 | 2013 Total room night comparison, citywide conventions 2012 | 2013 10,000 2012 2013 0 15,000 2012 10,000 2012 2013 5,000 5,000 2013 0 0 The outlook for Winnipeg's travel market remains positive thanks to Manitoba's strong growing economy, which will support the local tourism sector to expand at a stable rate. High-profile attractions and Winnipeg's first IKEA store are expected to boost intra-provincial tourism in the near term. The Investors Group Field, Journey to Churchill, new exhibits at Assiniboine Park Zoo, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, new hotels and Upper Fort Garry Heritage Park are expected to advance Winnipeg's profile as a travel destination. Over the medium to long term, the expansion of Winnipeg's airport will also provide added capacity for flights within Canada and arrivals from international markets. Winnipeg is expected to have the highest growth in overnight visits across the country in 2014. WINNIPEG OVERNIGHT TRAVEL 2012f 2013f 2014f 1,185 1,223 1,272 2.4 3.2 4.0 Domestic 992 1,028 1,072 2.5 3.6 4.3 Business 146 151 156 2.1 4.0 3.2 Leisure 266 277 292 2.7 4.3 5.2 United States* 143 143 146 2.0 0.2 1.9 Total* (overnight person-visits, 000's) Overseas* Travel Price Index* 53 55 3.9 4.2 475 502 534 5.1 Total Expenditures* (overnight, $millions) 51 1.3 5.8 6.3 2.5 2.3 2.2 f = forecast; e = estimates | Note: Italics represent percentage change | Sources: The Conference Board of Canada; Statistics Canada The Winnipeg Barometer Report | Volume 4, 2013 11

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