Tourism to Winnipeg on the rise, says economic think tank

WINNIPEG — Overnight travel to Winnipeg is slated to grow more than three per cent this year, according to the The Conference Board of Canada.

The economic think tank forecasts the city’s business travel will also increase 3.6 per cent, sparked by the recent completion of the RBC Convention Centre.

READ MORE: RBC Convention Centre draws thousands to Winnipeg

Pleasure travel to Winnipeg has increased, due to the city hosting the NHL Heritage Classic in October, combined with new discount flights to Winnipeg from a number of Canadian cities.

In 2017, tourism activity in Winnipeg should go up by 3.3 per cent due to the city hosting the Canada Summer Games in July, and the opening of a new outlet mall (which is currently under construction in the area of Kenaston Boulevard and Sterling Lyon Parkway).

RELATED: Gearing up for the 2017 Canada Summer Games

“Work has started on several projects in downtown Winnipeg that will benefit future tourism, such as an Inuit art centre and the True North Square development, which includes hotel and retail space,” the Conference Board of Canada stated in a media release Thursday.

The release shows travel from the United States and overseas into Winnipeg is forecasted to go up over the next four years.