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6 The Winnipeg Barometer Report | Volume 8, 2016 Winnipeg Outlook In its Autumn 2016 Metropolitan Travel Markets Outlook, the Conference Board of Canada estimated total overnight visitation to Winnipeg is expected to see a 3.3% growth in 2016. While overnight domestic travel is expected to increase 2.6%, strong growth is expected by the U.S. travel market with an 8.9% increase and overseas travel gaining 7.7%. The increase in domestic travel is comprised of 3.6% business travel and 2.4% leisure travel. Domestic travel is supported by stable economic prospects, continued employment growth and rising consumer confidence. Tourism spending is also expected to see a strong growth of 5.2% in 2016 with travel prices seeing a modest increase of 1.3%. Tourism spending growth will continue over the medium term with similar increases hovering around 5.0% and travel prices staying around 2.0% Looking ahead to 2017, according to the Conference Board of Canada's preliminary forecast total overnight visitation for Winnipeg is expected to increase an additional 3.3%. Domestic travel is expected to increase 3.1%, including 4.4% in business travel and 3.3% in leisure travel. In 2017, U.S. travel is expected to have modest growth of 4.3% and overseas visits continues to grow at 5.6%. The projected increase in visitation will receive added stimulus from hosting the 2017 Canada Summer Games as well as four other citywide sporting events and 12 citywide meetings and conventions. Over the medium term, new developments such as the Manitoba Museum's $19-million gallery renewal project— part of the Museum's larger $160-million Capital Renewal Vision, the Winnipeg Art Gallery's $60-million Inuit Art Centre, the Assiniboine Park's $70-million Diversity Gardens—the final phase of its $200-million Imagine a Place redevelopment, and True North Square development (including a hotel and retail space) will benefit future tourism and continue to raise Winnipeg's profile as a travel destination. WINNIPEG OVERNIGHT TRAVEL 2015e 2016f 2017f Total (overnight person-visits, 000's) 1,577 4.1 1,621 3.3 1,674 3.3 Domestic 1,374 3.6 1,395 2.6 1,438 3.1 Business 277 2.5 287 3.6 299 4.4 Leisure 257 3.8 263 2.4 271 3.3 United States 129 8.8 147 8.9 153 4.3 Overseas 74 3.9 79 7.7 84 5.6 Total Expenditures (overnight visits C$ millions) 517 4.3 554 5.2 586 5.8 Travel Price Index -0.04 1.30 1.99 e=estimate f = forecast; | Note: Italics represent percentage change | Sources: The Conference Board of Canada; Statistics Canada