More provincial money will flow to businesses in Manitoba in order to improve and promote tourism.
Nellie Kennedy, Manitoba’s Minister of Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism, announced the province will be spending $4.5 million more on tourism this year, bringing the total to $18 million, previously mentioned in the 2025 budget.
“Tourism is about more than just numbers. It’s about people, places and experiences that make Manitoba unique,” Kennedy said during a news conference at Winnipeg Art Gallery- Qaumajuq on Monday. Tourism brings people together and fosters cultural exchange, creating meaningful connections between locals and visitors.”
According to Tourism Manitoba’s most recent numbers, 10.4 million people visited Manitoba in 2023, resulting in a $1.82 billion contribution to the province’s economy.
The money will be used to promote Manitoba as a tourist destination in new markets.
Of the money announced Monday, $450,000 was earmarked for Indigenous tourism. The number of Indigenous tourist business operators now totals 170, a number that has doubled since 2019.
Holly Courchene, the CEO of Indigenous Tourism Manitoba, said tourism brings opportunity to Indigenous communities.
“Too often our community members travel to nearby towns or cities for shopping, spending their money elsewhere. Tourism flips that script,” she said. “When visitors come to our businesses, they spend money locally, boosting businesses, creating jobs and driving positive change.”
Monday’s event was a kickoff to National Tourism Week.
