/R E P E A T -- Media Advisory - Minister Joly in Saskatoon to discuss Indigenous tourism and economic growth and to meet with members of the Francophone community/

SASKATOON, Sept. 10, 2018 /CNW/ - The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie, will participate in a tourism roundtable to discuss how Canada can raise its international profile and strengthen its presence as a go-to destination in key global markets. 

The roundtable is an opportunity to discuss the growth of Canada's Indigenous tourism sector and the recent successes in marketing unique Indigenous experiences as part of the Canada-China Year of Tourism. It is also an opportunity to further gain insight on the tourism industry in Saskatchewan and the economic contribution it makes to this region.

The Minister will also be meeting with members of the Francophone community in Saskatoon. In March of this year, alongside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, she announced the Government of Canada's Action Plan for Official Languages 2018?2023, which represents the largest federal investment in official languages in our history.

Quick facts

• Tourism is an important sector and key driver of the Canadian economy.
• More than 67,000 Saskatchewan residents work in tourism-related jobs.
• In 2014, there were 82 Indigenous-owned tourism businesses in Saskatchewan; these directly accounted for an estimated 2,000 jobs and contributed an estimated $94.8 million to the provincial GDP.
• This activity will contribute to the development of a new tourism strategy, the core objective of which will be to create new opportunities and middle-class jobs in the tourism sector across Canada.
• The meeting will be held in Wanuskewin Heritage Park, which is on Canada's short list of proposed UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Minister Joly will hold a media availability after the roundtable. 

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SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada