Business · Economy · 1 hr ago
Trudeau says tourism needs public investment, citing Canada's approach
Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke at a tourism industry summit in Malta.
He said tourism, like manufacturing, needs government support rather than being left to grow on its own.
During his time in office, Canada appointed a tourism minister and invested in travel infrastructure and international advertising.
Trudeau said those efforts produced positive results, though he gave no figures.
He also said Canada removed visa requirements for Mexican tourists in 2015, helping build ties that later proved useful during negotiations over North America's trade agreement.
Trudeau said Canadian visits to the United States have fallen by 20%, amid concerns about crossing the border and whether visitors feel welcome.
US Tourism Minister Nick Adams argued that tourism should be kept separate from trade negotiations and criticized calls for travel boycotts.
Justin Trudeau said Canada treated tourism as an industry that needs active government support.
He cited appointing a tourism minister, investing in travel infrastructure and funding international advertising campaigns.
Trudeau said Canada also removed visa requirements for Mexican tourists in 2015.
He said arrivals of Canadian travellers to the United States had fallen by 20% amid concerns about crossing the border.
US Tourism Minister Nick Adams argued against bringing political disputes into tourism and said a tourism boycott causes hardship.
- Who
- Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and US Tourism Minister Nick Adams.
- What
- Trudeau said tourism needs public investment and described Canada’s approach; Adams opposed using tourism for political disputes.
- When
- At the recent annual World Travel & Tourism Council summit; the article was published on 12 October 2026.
- Where
- Valletta, Malta.
- Why
- Trudeau said government support can help tourism produce positive results. Adams said political disputes should be kept separate from tourism.
Justin Trudeau
Nick Adams
Tourism and government support
Justin Trudeau
Trudeau said Canada invested in tourism infrastructure and international advertising and appointed a tourism minister.
Nick Adams
Adams said people should not use tourism as a political tool and that a tourism boycott causes hardship.
Political disputes and travel
Justin Trudeau
Trudeau said relations between countries and travellers’ sense of welcome affect tourism.
Nick Adams
Adams said trade negotiations are separate from tourism and said a tourism boycott does not harm President Trump or him.
Como gobierno, en Canadá tomamos un rumbo muy diferente y con seriedad. Nombré a un ministro de Turismo, invertimos masivamente en infraestructura para facilitar viajes y también en campañas de publicidad internacional para atraer a la gente. Es lo necesario y vemos que siguen sumando resultados positivos
El mensaje que transmití fue que la gente no debería jugar al fútbol político. Una negociación comercial es totalmente distinta al sector del turismo. Estamos en el negocio de la felicidad y un boicot turístico es miseria.
Trudeau said his government removed visa requirements for Mexican tourists.
Trudeau discussed Canada’s tourism approach with WTTC president and CEO Gloria Guevara.
Adams said Trudeau publicly called on Canadians not to visit the United States.
- Summit location
- Valletta, Malta
- Canadian tourism minister
- Trudeau said he appointed one while in government
- Tourism investment
- Infrastructure and international advertising campaigns
- Mexican tourist visas
- Requirement removed in 2015
- Canadian arrivals to the United States
- Down 20%, according to Trudeau
Sources
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