Canada halts China tourism campaigns as row intensifies
As ties become further strained with a third Canadian national detained in China, tourism could be the big loser.
National tourism marketing agency Destination Canada will halt marketing activities in China for the time being.
"Destination Canada, along with our co-invested partners, have decided to temporarily pause or postpone our current marketing efforts in China," the organization said.
"China continues to be our third largest inbound market and of significant strategic importance in the future."
It comes on the back of a successful Canada-China Year of Tourism campaign.
Tourism marketing agencies in the provinces are also halting activities.
"We really don’t want to be fueling the fire during a time when there’s other stressful conversations going on," said Cathie Bolstad, CEO of NWT Tourism.
"[We’re] just trying to quiet the conversation right now in terms of tourism."
It could have a more damaging affect in the Northwest Territories as China is the top inbound market for the region.
The dispute stems from the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver earlier this month at the behest of the US.
She is facing possible extradition to the US on suspicion the company circumnavigated US sanctions in Iran.
In the recent past China has directly and indirectly used tourism as a political weapon to punish nations.
Restive province Taiwan, South Korea and Thailand have all been hit hard with a big drop in inbound tourist numbers fueled by nationalist boycotts.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt