Find Books

This section will introduce several "how-to" books on business to help you get started with your research. These books will primarily introduce you to business plan writing. These books will also introduce general business types such as retail and service business models.

 

Find Books Using Relevant Subject Headings

• Tourism -- Management
• Tourism -- Canada
• Hospitality industry -- Management
• Business planning.
• New business enterprises -- Management.
• Small business -- Management.

 

Google Books 
Google Books is a search feature offered by Google. It enables users to search the full text of approximately 10 million books that Google has scanned and stored in its digital database. It also offers previews of books that are currently still in print.

Worldcat 
A global catalogue of library collections from various libraries around the world. You can search for books on business planning, new enterprises, start-ups, or your specific industry. You can search for all the locations with copies of a specific item, and then locate the item in a nearby library. In Worldcat, you can also view research articles and other digital content directly online.

 

 

illume

A search portal to BC's post-secondary and public library collections (93 libraries). 

Find Business Plans

In the page below you will find examples of successful business plans. Researching your business plan can be a very time-consuming experience, but it is an essential and worthwhile investment. Your business plan will become your most important day to day operating tool. The information resources and strategies in this guide will help you create an effective plan and increase your chances for business success.

Review Sample Plans for Ideas

Most books about starting a business will include examples of business plans, as well as business planning templates. In addition to books, online business resources frequently include sample business plans. Here are a few to get you started.

 

Business Plans

Bplans.com

This site offers a selection of free sample business plans, as well as articles on business planning. Bplans.com also sells business planning software.

• Travel Tour Agency Business Plan - Sephats Tours
• Tourism Website Services Business Plan - Spanish Resources
• International Travel Agency Business Plan - Adventure Travel International
• Sightseeing Bus Tours Business Plan - Double Decker Tours of Washington

 

Business Plans Handbook, Gale Publishing

This is a database of actual business plans written by North American entrepreneurs seeking financing for their businesses. Includes examples of many start-up business ideas. Access is available through many BC public libraries, made possible by a generous donation from the Sutherland Foundation. Affiliates of UBC can start here.

• Greenland, P. (2020). Tour Guide. In D. Craft (Ed.), Business Plans Handbook (Vol. 47, pp. 149-155). Gale. Retrieved from Gale Ebooks database.
• Fletcher, F. (2019). Outdoor Guide. In D. Craft (Ed.), Business Plans Handbook (Vol. 44, pp. 115-120). Gale. Retrieved from Gale Ebooks database.
• Fletcher, F. (2019). Vacation Planning. In D. Craft (Ed.), Business Plans Handbook (Vol. 45, pp. 135-140). Gale. Retrieved from Gale Ebooks database.
• Greenland, P. (2018). Tourist Lodge Business. In D. Craft (Ed.), Business Plans Handbook (Vol. 40, pp. 161-167). Gale. Retrieved from Gale Ebooks database.
• Greenland, P. (2018). Whitewater Rafting Excursion Business. In D. Craft (Ed.), Business Plans Handbook (Vol. 40, pp. 205-210). Gale. Retrieved from Gale Ebooks database.

 

SCORE

SCORE is a non profit association helping small businesses. Their library includes templates for business plans, SWOT analysis, financial projections and more.

 

Business Plan Template And Cash Flow Forecasting Tool

Our friends at Small Business BC provide two valuable tools in one download: the first is a well-structured business plan template that will help communicate what you plan to do, and how you plan to do it, while the second is a spreadsheet you can fill in to, among other things, project costs and expenses using common line items. These tools will set you on your way to being able to present your business plan to funders. 

 

Marketing Plans

Marketing Plan Outline from Government of Canada |This Government of Canada page reviews the components of a marketing plan and why a marketing plan is necessary for your small business. 

BDC Marketing Plan Template | This comprehensive marketing plan template from BDC is for Canadian entrepreneurs specifically and includes all the important sections of a marketing plan, including an executive summary, identification of your target customer, and how you'll measure your sales.

Small Business BC - How to Write a Marketing Plan
This guide shows you how to develop a marketing plan that includes details like how you intend to meet your customers’ needs and communicate the benefits of your products or services to them. When making any decisions about market positioning, pricing, promotions, and sales, your customers should always be top of mind.

• How to Start a Tourism Business in BC

Find Capital

In this section you will find links to information on funding for your business. No business can function without money to pay for overhead expenses and production or product costs. It is also unusual for a business founder to have the capital to fully fund their business. The sources in this section will help you consider the best source of funding for your business.

The Government of British Columbia provides a list of possible tourism funding and programs. Take a look at the Tourism Funding and Programs page along with the Destination Development Fund. Indigenous Tourism BC Corporate also lists other available funding sources available to support Indigenous tourism. 

Other Suggestions for Obtaining Capital

With proper planning and a few resources to guide you on your way, identifying and securing capital to start and grow your business becomes a much smoother and gentler process. There are several ways to secure the capital needed to fund your business.

Government Funding

This is money that the government gives you to fund your business, based on your application to the funding grant. There are other types of government assistance you might wish to explore here: Business Grants and Financing.

Personal Savings

This involves saving your money from your current employment to invest in your business.

Personal Loans

This option means using your personal credit to secure a loan or using your personal credit card for business expenses.

Crowdfunding/Micro-Lending

Crowdfunding and micro-lending are both alternative ways of raising capital that involve having large groups of people pre-buy your product before it is launched or loan you small amounts that you can then use to finance your business.

Private Financing/Equity Financing

This type of financing comes in the form of loans from banks or individuals. It is obtained through your business’ credit availability or through providing equity in your business in exchange for money. This financing involves going into debt or giving up some control of your business.

Below, we have some resources that can help you find funding options for your business:

• Fundica
• Funding and Grants Database
• Innovation Canada

Industry Codes: The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)

At the start of your research, it may not be clear what specific industry you should be examining. A good strategy is to find out if your business idea is classified in an industrial classification system. These systems organize industries by assigning them a numeric code. The most commonly used system is the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Once you know your Industry Classification Code you can use this number to:

• Find industry-specific statistics on government websites or in library databases
• Generate lists of competitors in company directories

Another common classification system is the Standard Industry Code (SIC). NAICS have mostly replaced the SIC, but the SIC is still used by some commercial databases. Finding and using these classification systems to effectively search can be tricky, so don't hesitate to ask a librarian for help.

Start With These Suggestions

​​

Search or browse all NAICS or SIC codes on the NAICS Association website. Some NAICS codes are different in Canada — you can search by keyword or browse Canadian NAICS codes at Statistics Canada or Canadian Industry Statistics. To search for a SIC code using a NAICS code and vice versa, use the NAICS & SIC Crosswalks.   

For more information about planning your industry research, including identifying your industry codes, check out the video tutorial for Module 3: Planning Your Industry Research.

Library Databases

The Expensive World Of Business Information

Believe it or not, you cannot find everything on Google! Have you ever done an online search and found the perfect industry report only to find that it costs over $5,000? Did you know that libraries pay for many expensive databases that could be helpful in your secondary market research? 

Search engines like Google can only provide direct access to freely available information. Most of the web, including business information, lives in databases behind expensive paywalls. This paywall-protected section of the Internet is known as the deep web. Fortunately, some libraries pay to subscribe to databases so they can provide free access to their patrons — and many business databases can contain useful information such as articles, market research, and company reports.

There are several strategies you can use to access relevant business information on the deep web. First, we urge you to look up what business resources your local public or academic library can provide access to. Each database has its own arrangement, with unique interfaces and search features. It helps to know the structure and search terms of the specific database you are working with in order to retrieve effective results. 

Also, it is important to know that library databases are restricted by specific usage agreements. It can help to consult with a librarian if you have trouble navigating a specific database. They may also be able to help you find comparable information elsewhere. Libraries with robust business collections might have useful e-books, directories and trade journals. As you conduct your secondary market research you will likely need to consult both free and deep web resources.

For more information about how and why to use business databases, check out our video tutorial, Module Four: Conducting Your Industry Research.

 

UBC Library Business Databases

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you may have access to business databases through the David Lam Management Research Library and Canaccord Learning Commons through the links below.

Full Listing By Title or Full Listing By Subject

There are two different ways to identify databases: Use "by title" if you already know the name; otherwise you can search the list "by subject" to find starting places for undertaking market research, finding articles or researching companies. To learn more about how you can access library resources if you are a community user or temporary visitor, check out the UBC Library Community Users & Visitors Guide. Community users and temporary visitors may have additional access restrictions to specific databases because of license agreements.

 

Provincial Library Database Partners

How to access: Check out the database list and note the License Participants to find out which institutions have access. Otherwise, contact your local post-secondary library to see what they offer.

BC Electronic Library Network (ELN) Research Databases

ELN licenses databases with partner academic libraries. These include LexisNexis, Canadian Newsstream, Hoovers, CBCA Business, ABI/INFORM Complete and others that may be of interest to business researchers.

 

ABI/INFORM Collection

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Created by ProQuest this database contains full-text articles from over 1,000 business magazines and journals that track business conditions, trends, management techniques, corporate strategies, and industry-specific topics.

• Canada tourism report - Q1 2023. (2023). London: Fitch Solutions Group Limited. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection. 
• Canada tourism report - Q4 2022. (2022). London: Fitch Solutions Group Limited. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Canada tourism report - Q3 2022. (2022). London: Fitch Solutions Group Limited. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Travel trends shift towards sustainable options: Report. (2023, Jan 23). TradeArabia. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database.
• Government of canada invests in recovery of small tourism businesses with support for two major partners in quebec. (2023, Jan 11). The Canadian Press. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database.
• Canada: Government of canada invests nearly $14 million to grow the economy in barrie and surrounding region. (2023, Jan 25). Asia News Monitor. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• In celebration of small business week, B.C. small businesses receive $1.2 million to enhance tourism experiences across the province. (2022, Oct 17). Canada NewsWire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database.
• Wyndham celebrates 2022 milestones and accomplishments, sets sights on continued expansion as demand for travel stays steadfast. (2023, Jan 23). PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database.
• Business tourism: In 2022, montréal bounced back exceptionally well. (2023, Jan 19). The Canadian Press. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database.
• Canada: Government of canada supports projects for youth in the growing tourism and hospitality sector. (2022, Sep 29). Asia News Monitor. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database.
• Minister Mélanie Joly highlights tourism, arts and cultural investments in budget 2021. (2021, Apr 21). Canada NewsWire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database.

 

Mergent Online

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Provides access to US and international public company data. This database also contains data on companies that were acquired, went bankrupt, liquidated or merged out of existence from 1995 forward. Users can compare companies and export data into programs like Excel.

 

BCC Research Centre

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Otherwise, contact your local library to see if they provide access.

Publishes 250 reports annually that are complete with market intelligence, five-year forecasts, statistical and analytical data, key players, market share, industry structure and dynamics, and technological shifts and trends.

• BCC Research. (2022, September). Hospitality Market Global Briefing 2022: Ukraine-Russia War Impact (Report code MKB247F). Retrieved from BCC Research database.
• BCC Research. (2022, August). Hospitality Buildings Market Global Briefing 2022 (Report code MKB990A). Retrieved from BCC Research database.
• BCC Research. (2022, September). Hotel And Other Travel Accommodation Market Global Briefing 2022: Ukraine-Russia War Impact (Report code MKB198I). Retrieved from BCC Research database.
• BCC Research. (2022, September). Travel Arrangement And Reservation Services Market Global Briefing 2022: Ukraine-Russia War Impact (Report code MKB442F). Retrieved from BCC Research database.
• BCC Research. (2022, May). Hotel And Other Travel Accommodation Market Global Briefing 2022 (Report code MKB198H). Retrieved from BCC Research database.
• BCC Research. (2021, December). Hotel And Other Travel Accommodation Global Market Competitor Briefing 2021 (Report code MKB198G). Retrieved from BCC Research database.

 

Business Source Ultimate

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Otherwise, contact your local library to see if they provide access.

Includes financial data, books, videos, company profiles, SWOT analyses, industry profiles, country reports, market research reports and case studies. Also includes information on industry trends, forecasts, outlooks, competitors, how to run a specific business and much more.

• Kromidha, E., Gannon, M., & Taheri, B. (2023). A Profile-Based Approach to Understanding Social Exchange: Authentic Tour-Guiding in the Sharing Economy. Journal of Travel Research, 62(2), 324–344. https://doi.org/10.1177/00472875211062616
• Girma, L. (2022). Canada Counts on Big Outdoors, Indigenous Tourism to Bring Americans Back. Bloomberg.Com, N.PAG. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• Knollenberg, W., McGehee, N. G., Perdue, R. R., & Andereck, K. L. (2021). We’re All in This Together: Understanding How Tourism Advocates Build Relationships across the Tourism Industry. Journal of Travel Research, 60(2), 235–250. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287520906216
• MarketLine Industry Profile: Travel & Tourism in United States. (2020). Travel & Tourism Industry Profile: United States, 1–96.  Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• TFAILY, R. A. (2018). E-Tourism and the Competitiveness of Tourism Products in the Context of the Global Tourism and Travel Industry Market. Review of International Comparative Management / Revista de Management Comparat International, 19(2), 187–195. https://doi.org/10.24818/RMCI.2018.2.187
• Goffi, G., Masiero, L., & Pencarelli, T. (2022). Corporate social responsibility and performances of firms operating in the tourism and hospitality industry. TQM Journal, 34(6), 1626–1647. https://doi.org/10.1108/TQM-06-2021-0166

 

First Research Industry Profiles

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, or faculty you can access many of these reports through ABI/INFORM and/or Business Market Research Collection (Proquest).

Covers over 900 industry segments. Updated on a quarterly basis, these industry profiles contain critical analysis, statistics and forecasts to help you engage key prospects, coach key clients, and deepen customer relationships. You can search for reports by NAICS, SIC or keyword or browse by category.

• Canada tourism report - Q1 2023. (2023). London: Fitch Solutions Group Limited. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Canada tourism report - Q4 2022. (2022). London: Fitch Solutions Group Limited. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• United States tourism report - Q1 2023. (2023). London: Fitch Solutions Group Limited. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• United States tourism report - Q4 2022. (2022). London: Fitch Solutions Group Limited. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Indigenous tourism ontario announces the establishment of the indigenous cultural integrity advisory committee to support the respectful growth of indigenous tourism in ontario. (2022, Dec 22). Canada NewsWire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• WestJet announces commitment to grow alberta's indigenous tourism industry. (2022, Dec 06). The Canadian Press. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Hotels, motels & resorts - quarterly update 11/7/2022. (2022). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection; Business Market Research Collection.
• Lodging - quarterly update 10/10/2022. (2022). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection; Business Market Research Collection.
• Casino hotels - quarterly update 10/10/2022. (2022).  Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection; Business Market Research Collection.
• Translated by Content Engine, L. L. C. (2023, Jan 20). Tourism startups make $18 billion and have best quarter ever. CE Noticias Financieras. Retrieved from First Industry Research Profiles.
• Recreational & vacation camps - quarterly update 12/5/2022. (2022). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection; Business Market Research Collection.
• Bed & breakfast inns - quarterly update 11/28/2022. (2022). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection; Business Market Research Collection.

 

IBISWorld Industry Reports

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

IBISWorld research is an independent, professional publisher of high-quality market research reports. These reports analyze the underlying structure and external forces that drive an industry.

• Buchko, M. (2023, January). Travel Agencies in Canada: Report Number 56151CA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld.
• Brocker, M. (2022, September). Hotels & Motels in Canada: Report Number 72111CA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld.
• Kanada, S. (2022, June). Convention & Visitor Bureaus in Canada: Report Number 56159CA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld.
• Mieles, C. (2021, August). Tour Operators in Canada: Report Number 56152CA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld.
• Wood, G. (2023, January). Travel Agencies in the US: Report Number 56151. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld.
• Ristoff, J. (2023, January). Tourism in the US: Report Number NN002. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld.
• Moreno, A. (2023, January). Hotels & Motels in the US: Report Number 72111. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld.
• McGrath, S. (2021, August). Global Tourism: Report Number X9001-GL. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld.

   

Marketresearch.com/Freedonia Focus

How to access: Check your local public or academic library to see about access. If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

While you can search this website only some Canadian libraries provide full-text access to the market research reports on industries and demographics for North American industries. They can range from 50 to 400+ pages in length, and contain charts, tables, and graphs, and key facts. Marketresearch.com has varied industry coverage and includes US and international information.

• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2022, May). Travel Services: United States. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2019, April). Travel Services: United States. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2022, June). Lodging Services: United States. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.

 

Business Market Research Collection (Proquest)

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Business Market Research Collection brings together four sources to help students more easily conduct the research they need to produce business plans, marketing plans, startup plans, market growth analysis, and strategic and financial plans. Includes access to: Hoover's Company Profiles, OxResearch, Barnes Reports, and the older Snapshots Series, which includes market research overviews on over 40 industries and 40 countries to 2008.

• Bed & breakfast inns - quarterly update 1/17/2023. (2023). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection.
• Casino hotels - quarterly update 1/9/2023. (2023). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection.
• Travel agencies & services - quarterly update 5/16/2022. (2022). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection.

   

Statista

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

A simple to use statistics portal that integrates statistics from thousands of sources, on topics related to business, media, public policy, health and others. Statistics can be exported in PPT, XLS, PDF, and PNG formats. Some basic content available for free.

• Statista Research Department. (2022, May). Online travel market - statistics & facts. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Statista Research Department. (2022, March). Travel agency industry - statistics & facts. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Statista Research Department. (2022, November). Global tourism industry - statistics & facts. Retrieved from Statista database.
• López, Ana M. (2022, November). Business travel in the U.S. - statistics & facts. Retrieved from Statista database.
• López, Ana M. (2022, November). Leading travel management companies in the United States in 2020, by number of top partnerships [Chart]. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Statista Research Department. (2022, March). Digitalization of the travel industry - statistics & facts. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Statista Research Department. (2022, June). Impact of technology on travel and tourism - statistics & facts. Retrieved from Statista database.

 

WARC: World Advertising Research Center

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

WARC has case studies from major companies and advertising agencies, as well as articles from leading advertising journals and unpublished papers. It also includes company profiles, advertising spending statistics, and demographic and economic data.

• WARC. (2022, November). What will 2023 hold for travel? Retrieved from WARC database.
• WARC. (2021, July). What's working in travel? Retrieved from WARC database.
• WARC. (2021, May). Sustainability: The future of travel? Retrieved from WARC database.

 

Newspapers and News Sources - UBC Library Research Guide

How to access: The guide can be viewed through the link below. Individual resources and databases will have different access requirements.

UBC Library has an excellent collection of current and historical newspapers from B.C., Canada, and around the world. UBC affiliates will have access to these resources.

• Varcoe, C. (2023, Jan 26). Hotels in the city aim to return to pre-pandemic levels in 2023. Calgary Herald. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream.
• Nine indigenous entrepreneurial leaders recognized for outstanding achievements and impact. (2022, Nov 08). The Canadian Press. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream.
• Kotsis, J. (2022, Dec 29). Tourism sector still in 'reopening phase'. The Windsor Star. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream.
• Foden, J. (2022). Where to travel in 2023 if you care about climate change: If you want to travel responsibly, here are a list of 10 locales that are doing their best to lessen your impact on the planet. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream.
• Kotsis, J. (2022, Dec 23). Tourism industry slowly getting back to pre-pandemic levels. The Windsor Star. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream.
• Mcdermott, V. (2022, Dec 15). Fort McMurray tourism operators betting on dark sky and northern lights experiences. Fort McMurray Today. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream.
• Northern B.C. communities receive over $2.4 million in funding to revitalize public spaces and enhance tourism experiences. (2022, Dec 13). The Canadian Press. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream.
• WestJet announces commitment to grow alberta's indigenous tourism industry. (2022, Dec 06). The Canadian Press. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream.

Industry News

In this section we have gathered some of the most popular information sources, such as trade journals, magazines, blogs, and association websites. Industry information is always changing. For the latest news, current issues and popular opinions, try following one or more of these sources. In addition, interacting with the websites that provide this information through commenting and asking questions may also provide you with more information.

 

Associations

Trade associations often publish free industry newsletters that are excellent sources of information for your business plan. Such newsletters often have articles that cover in-depth topics on business management, manufacturing practices, how-tos, and current industry news.

Canadian Associations

Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC (AtBC) | AtBC is a non-profit, membership-based organization that is committed to growing and promoting a sustainable, culturally rich Aboriginal tourism industry. AtBC offers training, marketing programs, and more for Aboriginal entrepreneurs and communities who are operating or looking to start a tourism business.

Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) | The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) is a global leader in the marketing and development of Indigenous tourism experiences. ITAC’s members are Indigenous-owned and controlled businesses from every province and territory in the country.

BC Wilderness Tourism Association (BCWTA) | BCWTA is an organization of adventure tourism operators working to enhance the wilderness experience through advocacy, education, and involvement with  public and private enterprise. 

The Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia (TIABC) | TIABC is a not-for-profit industry association that advocates for the interests of British Columbia’s $15 billion visitor economy. TIABC works collaboratively with its members to ensure the best working environment for a competitive tourism industry. TIABC hosts a number of events and publishes a newsletter.

Tourism Association of Canada (TIAC) | TIAC is responsible for representing tourism interests at the national level, and its advocacy work involves promoting and supporting policies, programs and activities that will benefit the sector's growth and development. TIAC conducts a number of events as well as a Tourism Congress.

Destination Canada | A crown corporation, Destination Canada uses research to drive evidence-based marketing. Destination Canada provides research including data, industry analysis, and reports on market intelligence.

Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA) | ACTA is a national member-based trade association that represents the retail travel sector of Canada’s tourism industry. ACTA advocates on behalf of members with governments, regulatory agencies, and travel suppliers in the best interests of the retail travel sector and consumers who benefit from the professional services provided by Members.

Canadian Association of Tour Operators (CATO) | The Canadian Association of Tour Operators (CATO) is a non-profit organization, consisting of highly respected tour operators from across Canada as well as supporting members. CATO’s primary role is to inform government and other stakeholders of issues important to its members as well as advocate on their behalf. 

Tourism HR Canada | Tourism HR Canada is a pan-Canadian organization with a mandate aimed at building a world-leading tourism workforce. It facilitates, coordinates, and enables human resource development activities that support a globally competitive and sustainable industry and foster the development of a dynamic and resilient workforce.

International Associations

The Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA) | An international organization, the Canadian Chapter of TTRA is dedicated to individuals interested in advancing the quality and effectiveness of tourism research and marketing and fosters the value and use of research in the marketing, planning, and development of tourism in Canada.TTRA maintains an events page and coordinates an annual conference.

World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) | WTTC’s goal is to maximise the inclusive and sustainable growth potential of the Travel & Tourism sector by partnering with governments, destinations, communities, and other stakeholders to drive economic development, create jobs, reduce poverty and foster peace, security, and understanding in our world. The Research page of WTTC includes insights and publications, economic impact reports and downloadable regional highlights of tourism’s contribution to GDP.

 

Magazines & Trade Journals

Trade associations often publish free industry newsletters that are excellent sources of information for business planning. Such newsletters often have articles that cover in-depth topics on business management, manufacturing practices, how-tos, and current industry news.

British Columbia Magazine | A quarterly magazine that highlights British Columbia's natural diversity and many opportunities for travel and adventure.

Travelweek Magazine | Travelweek is Canada's weekly travel trade news source with travel news, jobs, travel industry events, and more.

Visitor's Choice | Visitors' Choice Magazines are published six times a year and are available at local airports, hotels, and travel outlets. They highlight tourism activities in Vancouver and across the Lower Mainland.

Condé Nast Traveler | Published monthly, Condé Nast Traveler’s motto is “Trust in Travel.” The publication provides enlightening content on a wide range of topics, including destinations, hotels, food and beverage, airlines as well as fashion, cars, digital and grooming.

 

Consultant & Other Websites

Indigenous Tourism BC Corporate | A non-profit, Stakeholder-based organization, Indigenous Tourism BC is committed to growing and promoting a sustainable, culturally rich Indigenous tourism industry. Through training, information resources, networking opportunities and marketing programs, Indigenous Tourism BC is an important resource for Indigenous entrepreneurs and communities in British Columbia who are operating or looking to start a tourism business.

United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) | The UNWTO Elibrary is an online service from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) with a broad coverage of tourism and related subject areas. The subject areas reflect all important themes moving the tourism sector and include, among others, ecotourism and sustainable development, tourism statistics, market research, innovation and new technologies and tourism policies. The UNWTO Elibrary contains books, journals and statistical reports by country and by indicator.

MarketWatch - Industry Analyzer | The Industries section contains current data on Dow Jones Industry Sectors. Aggregate data as well as company-specific data is available.

PriceWaterhouse Coopers Canada (PwC) | Global consultancy firm that produces reports on the state of various industries.

Firsthand | A free source of industry information. Use the Industry Profiles to research growing industries and best industries by major, and Company Rankings and Profiles to find news, company information, and industry-specific sample professions. Basic monthly membership is free and offers access to blogs, discussion forums, and job listings.

Skilled Immigrant InfoCentre | This free resource created by the Vancouver Public Library is an online and in-person resource that helps newcomers to Canada find information to get a job, explore different careers or start a business.

• Tour & Travel Guides
• Travel Counsellors
• Hospitality Managers
• Outdoor Guides

 

Blogs, Podcasts & Discussion Forums 

Blogs

Aboriginal Tourism BC Blog | Information on new destinations to visit and experience BC’s Aboriginal heritage.

Hello BC Blog | The official blog of Destination BC featuring travel tips, industry trends, and upcoming events from across the province.

Tourism Industry Association of Canada Media Centre | Updates on nation-wide issues of interest to the tourism industry.

Podcasts 

Tourpreneur | Tourpreneur is designed to share tips and advice to help more tour business owners be successful. Sign up for their newsletter for industry insights.

The Future of Tourism | A series of candid conversations with industry leaders, luminaries and visionaries about the challenges and opportunities facing the travel and tourism industry today.

Talking Tourism | A go-to resource to learn the ins and outs of running a tourism business in today’s changing world.

Tourism Entrepreneur | An online community and media company dedicated to aspiring, new and established tourism and hospitality entrepreneurs.

Tourism Hub Podcast | Weekly podcast sharing insights an journeys of entrepreneurs and leaders in tourism.

Discussion Forums 

Fodor's Travel Canada Forum | An active discussion forum where travelers share their experiences, tips, and recommendations for tourists across Canada.

TripAdvisor British Columbia Travel Forum | Travel industry professionals can connect here with customers to discuss details of British Columbia tourism.

 

TIP: As with all sources, news articles and blogs should be carefully evaluated. For information on how to evaluate your information, watch video tutorial Module Five: Using Information Responsibly.

Government Websites

In this section we have gathered some of the most reliable freely available online government and employment websites for you to use in your research.

 

Canadian Websites

BC Stats | Current reports and statistics from British Columbia's central statistical agency including labour market information, economic statistics and bankruptcies. Start by searching their Industry section and narrowing by industry type or go to the Business, Industry & Trade page to skim all the different business-related topics.

• Tourism

 

Government of Canada - Business and Industry | The Government of Canada's comprehensive page for business and industry guides you through important information on starting a business. You will find necessary permits and information on tax and regulation, as well as advice on how to protect your intellectual property through copyright or trademark, a primer for selling to the federal government, information on importing and exporting goods, and advice on managing and protecting your business operations. 

• Starting a business 
• Overview of federal government Services for Small Business 
• The Canadian Tourism Sector

 

Statistics Canada Data | Formerly known as CANSIM, Statistics Canada's key socioeconomic database is updated daily. It is free to search the data tables.

• Travel and tourism statistics
• Tourism demand in Canada, current prices
• Supply of tourism commodities, constant prices (x1,000,000)
• Supply of tourism commodities, current prices (x1,000,000)
• Employment generated by tourism (x1,000)
• Tourism demand, implicit price indexes, seasonally adjusted
• Provincial and territorial gross domestic product (GDP) and employment generated by tourism and related measures (x 1,000,000)
• Canadian Tourism Activity Tracker and Grouped Data Sources
• Tourism demand in Canada, constant prices (x 1,000,00

 

Canadian Industry Statistics (CIS) - Industry Canada | CIS analyses industry data on many economic indicators using the most recent data from Statistics Canada. CIS looks at industry trends and financial information, such as GDP, Labour Productivity, Manufacturing and Trade data.

• Scenic and sightseeing transportation - 487
• Travel arrangement and reservation services - 5615
• Travel agencies - 56151
• Tour operators - 56152
• Other travel arrangement and reservation services - 56159

 

City of Vancouver’s Open Data Portal

How to access: The guide can be viewed through the link above and is free to use.

The Government of Canada routinely collects vast quantities and kinds of information on a diverse spectrum of topics. Now the City of Vancouver is making this information available to the public in a single concise searchable portal called Open Data 101. This data is accessible to the public and structured in an easy to understand format.

 

Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada

Provides market research, industry statistics, licensing information for intellectual property, and information about doing business internationally. The Industry Canada site features interactive applications such as customizable trade reports, cost calculators, and online business planning guides. You can also search broad Canadian industry statistics.

• The Canadian tourism sector
• SME Profile: Tourism Industries in Canada, 2020

 

The Daily - Statistics Canada

The premier source for Canadian statistical information, including census information. Search 'The Daily' releases by subject to identify corresponding census tables, latest news, and publications. Similarly, you can browse by data source, including surveys & questionnaires relevant to your market research, which also link to census tables, latest news and publications.

• Travel between Canada and other countries, November 2022
• Leading indicator of international arrivals to Canada, December 2022
• National tourism indicators, third quarter 2022
• Canadian Tourism Activity Tracker, October 2022
• Travel arrangement services, 2021

 

WorkBC | Find current employment outlooks, labour market information, relevant links, and a geographic representation of the BC workforce. Start by searching your Industry Profile.

• Tourism and Hospitality
• Accommodation, travel, tourism and related services supervisor NOC 6313)
• Travel counsellors (NOC 6521)
• Tour and travel guides (NOC 6531)
• Support occupations in accommodation, travel and facilities set-up services (NOC 6721)

 

US & International Websites

Small Business Administration: Free Small Business Data

This site is created and managed by the US Small Business Administration (SBA) and provides a list of free sources of information that you can use to obtain data about markets in the US.

US International Trade Administration: National Travel and Tourism Office | The National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) provides statistics in travel and tourism as well as coordinates efforts across US federal agencies through the Tourism Policy Council. Be sure to also look at the Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (TTAB) which serves as the advisory body to the Secretary of Commerce on matters relating to the travel and tourism industry in the United States.

United Nations World Tourism Organization | This specialized agency of the United Nations promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability. It offers leadership and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide.

Regulations

Learn More About Compliance Issues

When it comes to starting a business, one of the first decisions you need to make is the legal structure of your business - sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability partnership, or limited company. You'll also need to register your business and you'll need to be aware of many municipal, provincial or federal regulations. The websites in this section will help you.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada - Permits and Licenses Search

Search for the permits and licenses applicable to your industry and location to meet all federal, provincial and municipal regulations.

 

General Business Resources

BizPaL

This is the one-stop website to assist Canadian businesses that are just starting up, or expanding into new areas. BizPaL asks you a short series of questions about the nature and scope of your current or proposed business. Based on your answers, BizPaL provides you with a customized list of government permits and licences that you may require to operate your business. All of the information that you provide is kept anonymous, and you may save or print your results for future reference.

 

Canada Revenue Agency - Business

This section of the Canadian federal tax agency's website contains important taxation and documentation requirements that businesses operating in Canada must adhere to.

• Keeping records
• Business Number (BN) registration
• Business expenses

 

Small Business BC (SBBC)

SBBC is a great place to start for information on BC specific regulations and guidelines, for whatever stage you are in your business development. This is a great post on the topic.

 

The Province of British Columbia

Provides information on programs and resources available to small business owners in British Columbia. Includes information on taxes and industry regulations. Start with the Permits, Licences & Registrations section.

 

BC Business Registry

British Columbia's online Business Registry is a self-serve application allowing small business owners to complete provincial registrations or incorporations of their business, file name requests on behalf of their business, and store maintenance filings required by British Columbia. Anyone with a BC Registries account may also search for existing businesses and clients, providing access to business information and filings for co-operatives, benefit companies, sole proprietorships, and general partnerships. Use the Business Structures Wizard to help you!

Tips on Company Research

An in-depth investigation and analysis of your competition is one of the most important components of a comprehensive market analysis. A competitive analysis allows you to assess your competitors' strengths and weaknesses in the marketplace, and to implement effective strategies to improve your competitive advantage. Here are some research strategies for doing your competitive analysis:

• Company directories can be used to create lists of competitors by industry, product line, size, etc.
• Doing a company name search in a general research database is an excellent way to learn more about your competitor’s products, services, prices, and media coverage.
• If your competitors are public companies, learn more about them by reading their financials and annual reports.
• News archives provide a range of competitive information on both public and private companies.
• Patents are a good way to learn about the technical and design features of a competitor's products. You can refer to this UBC Library Research Guide, created by UBC Engineering Librarians, if you are looking for patent information. Most of the resources listed are freely available.

For information on primary and secondary market research, as well as common sources for secondary market research, watch our video tutorial Module One: Introduction To Market Research.

Finding information on public companies is considerably easier than finding information on privately-held companies. Information on public companies is readily available online, or at your local library. Another good starting point is the list of resources in the next section of this Accelerator Guide: Find Competitors. Unlike public companies, private companies are not required to file with the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR). Searching for private company information is considerably more difficult and will require a lot of patience, and a healthy dose of creativity. 

Find Competitors

Learning About Competitors

To create a list of competitors and find basic information about them (e.g. number of employees, contact information) you will need to consult business directories. Many directories are available online for free, while others are fee-based commercial databases. You can find directories that are particular to an industry or geography. Your local library will likely have a good collection of directories that you can consult in person.

For further information about secondary market research, see our video tutorial Module Two: Secondary Market Research for Industry Analysis.

If you know of some public companies in your industry, then annual reports can provide a great deal of useful financial information including sales volume, revenue increases, and total market share. You can search the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) for Canadian Company filings. If the competitor you are researching does business in the US, then you search the Security and Exchange Commissions equivalent, EDGAR, which provides free public access to corporate information including financial information and operations by reviewing registration statements, prospectuses and periodic reports filed on Forms 10-K and 10-Q. You also can find information about recent corporate events reported on Form 8-K that a company does not have to disclose to investors. You can use advanced search features to search by Standard Industry Classification (SIC) codes.

 

Free Business Directories

CanadaOne - Canadian Business Directory

CanadaOne has a directory of over 20,000 Canadian businesses.

Federal Corporations Data Online 

Free searchable database of federally incorporated/registered companies.

D&B Hoovers

Provides information on 18 million US and international companies, both public and private. D&B Hoovers' reports are generated quickly, and are easy to read. A fair amount of information is provided for free, but much more is available with a paid subscription. If you know the company name or ticker symbol of any of the key players in your industry, try searching for their Hoovers records to find key information. Use the link above for free information or contact your local library to see if they provide access. Affiliates of UBC may have access. 

• Scenic And Sightseeing Transportation Industry
• Administration Of Economic Programs Industry
• Travel Arrangement And Reservation Services Industry

Proprietary Business Directories

Business in Vancouver, Book of Lists

Comprehensive collection of BC business data compiled annually as the popular BIV Book of Lists. Provides data on over 1000 companies including: websites, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, top executives' names, company age, revenues, profits and much more. UBC affiliates and in-person community researchers can obtain access to a print version (here are details on how to locate it) or you can get your own online subscription.

 

Mergent Online

Provides access to detailed information on US and international companies. Data can be compared and exported into software applications such as Excel. Affiliates of UBC can learn more and get access.

 

The Blue Book of Canadian Business

Detailed profiles for over 60 Canadian corporations, including missions/values, history, operations, social responsibility and executive biographies. Also contains directory type information for 2,500 Canadian companies, a ranking of the top 500 companies and a list of the top 400 Canadian stocks. UBC affiliates and in-person community researchers can obtain access to a print version of this periodical (here are details on how to locate it at UBC in Vancouver).

 

Reference Canada

Provides information on more than one million businesses throughout Canada. Includes name, address, phone number, contacts, number of employees, annual sales volumes, line of business, and credit rating. Vancouver Public Library subscribes to this online directory so check with your local library about access.

 

UBC Library Business Databases

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you may have access to business databases through the David Lam Management Research Library and Canaccord Learning Commons through the links below.

Full Listing By Title or Full Listing By Subject

There are two different ways to identify databases: Use "by title" if you already know the name; otherwise you can search the list "by subject" to find starting places for undertaking market research, finding articles or researching companies. To learn more about how you can access library resources if you are a community user or temporary visitor, check out the UBC Library Community Users & Visitors Guide. Community users and temporary visitors may have additional access restrictions to specific databases because of license agreements.

 

Mapping Your Competitors

Online maps such as Google Maps or Bing Maps and popular directories such as Yelp are a fast way to locate nearby competitors, and to get a better sense of the region your business operates within. Try searching for the name of your product or industry and narrowing your results by focusing the map on a specific location, such as a city or neighborhood.

SimplyAnalytics

This is an Internet-based mapping application that enables users to develop interactive thematic maps and reports using thousands of demographic, business, and marketing data variables. Check your local public or academic library for access. UBC affiliates can learn more and get access.

 

Trade Shows

Attending trade shows is an excellent way to learn more about your competitors. Contact local associations or read trade publications to find out what trade shows are coming to your community.

10Times.com | The largest worldwide online directory of trade fairs, business exhibitions, trade shows, conferences, and seminars for various industries. Search for trade shows by industry, country, date, organizer, or venue.

2023 International Indigenous Tourism Conference (IITC) | The International Indigenous Tourism Conference largest Indigenous conference. Held annually, this conference brings people together in a spirit of learning and inspiration, contributing greatly toward the advancement of the Indigenous tourism industry.

2023 BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference | Hosted by The Tourism Industry Association of BC and the BC Hotel Association this three day conference includes cultural tours, keynote speakers, panel discussions and breakout sessions to grow your business.

Tourism Industry Association of Canada Tourism Congress | The Tourism Industry Association of Canada's (TIAC) annual Tourism Congress brings together industry leaders and peers from across the country for this two-day conference. TIAC's Tourism Congress includes innovative programming with motivational speakers and expert panellists and a balance of networking and gathering opportunities

Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA) International Conference | The association unites the travel and tourism research community – university academics, professional practitioners, and users of research – so they can network, collaborate, and ideate in person and across borders.

 

Find Financial Benchmarks

One thing you will need to do in the financials section of your business plan is discuss how you will price your products and/or services, and how this compares to your competitors. You will need to develop a financial plan that includes your projected revenues and net income. The following resources will help you find financial information on competitors in your industry.

 

Free Tools for Finding Financial Info

EDGAR

Filings with the US Securities & Exchange Commission by companies listed on US exchanges. 10-K Forms include detailed information on company history, structure, financial statements, and other relevant data.

 

SEDAR

A collection of corporate filings that are required by securities regulators, from companies operating in Canada. This website is an excellent source for information about a company's plans, competitive environment, markets, products, and assets. SEDAR is the Canadian equivalent of EDGAR.

 

Finding Benchmarks & Ratios

Ratios are tools that allow you to plan and assess your company's progress over time, and to compare it to other companies in the same industry. There are diferent kinds of ratios, including operating ratios, financial ratios, performance indicators, and benchmarks.

 

Financial Performance Data (formerly SME Benchmarking Tool)

Tool for benchmarking your financial reports with others in your sector. Website also includes a collection of financial data and annual reports of various Canadian companies. For instructions on using the Financial Performance Data click here. To create a report using Financial Performance data click here.

TIP: Remember to search using your NAICS code (eg. 561510)

 

Financial Performance Indicators for Canadian Business

Offers current financial ratios by industry, based on data provided by Statistics Canada. The indicators are designed to serve as financial performance benchmarks against which individual firms and industries can be compared. Affiliates of UBC, UNBC, UVic and SFU have access through Abacus Dataverse. If you are visiting, please contact your local library about access.

 

 

Proprietary Tools For Finding Financial Info

UBC Company Research Guide

This research guide was created by UBC business librarians. Follow this link to go directly to the section of the guide that features various UBC Library electronic resources that are recommended for searching for financial information on competitors, such as credit rankings, stock prices and investment analyst reports. You can explore the navigation on the right-hand side to find more recommended research sources on the general topic of company research.

 

Library Resources

Access to the following sources may be available through your local public or academic library. For information on how to obtain a library card, and for additional information on using libraries in BC, please visit our Getting Access to Library Resources page.

 

Mergent Online

Provides access to detailed information on US and international companies. Data can be compared and exported into software applications such as Excel. Affiliates of UBC can learn more and get access.

 

Tools For Calculating Your Own Financials

• Financial Ratio Calculators - Business Development Canada
• Financial Ratios Calculator: Debt to Equity and Other Ratios - Canada One
• Business Calculators - GoForth Institute

Market Share & Size

Both market size and market share held by competitors are key factors when assessing the competitive environment. Keep in mind that there is no single source of market size and market share data. Market information is usually pieced together from various sources and is not often readily available for niche or emerging industries. One strategy is to combine a competitor's name or a comparable, established industry with the term market share in article databases or read market research reports. You will need to identify and describe your market – who your customers are and what the demand is for your products and services.

 

UBC Library Business Databases

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you may have access to business databases through the David Lam Management Research Library and Canaccord Learning Commons through the links below.

Full Listing By Title or Full Listing By Subject

There are two different ways to identify databases: Use "by title" if you already know the name; otherwise you can search the list "by subject" to find starting places for undertaking market research, finding articles or researching companies. To learn more about how you can access library resources if you are a community user or temporary visitor, check out the UBC Library Community Users & Visitors Guide. Community users and temporary visitors may have additional access restrictions to specific databases because of license agreements.

 

Library Resources

Access to the following sources may be available through your local public or academic library. For information on how to obtain a library card, and for additional information on using libraries in BC, please visit our Getting Access to Library Resources page.

 

ABI/INFORM Collection

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Created by ProQuest this database contains full-text articles from over 1,000 business magazines and journals that track business conditions, trends, management techniques, corporate strategies, and industry-specific topics.

• Canada tourism report - Q4 2022. (2022). London: Fitch Solutions Group Limited. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Canada tourism report - Q3 2022. (2022). London: Fitch Solutions Group Limited. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• 2022-2030 MICE tourism market| study by business opportunities, top manufacturers records, production, revenue, growth rate, price and gross margin. (2022, Sep 02). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Worldwide sustainable tourism industry to 2024 - key drivers, challenges and trends. (2020, Nov 12). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Global sustainable tourism market- and beyond holdings (proprietary) ltd., adventure alternative ltd., better places international BV, among others to contribute to the market growth| technavio. (2021, Apr 26). PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Global leisure travel market (2022 to 2027) - featuring american express travel, BCD travel and booking holdings among others. (2022, Aug 16). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Travel market segmentation by sector and geography, key drivers and market forecasts - technavio. (2022, Jul 26). PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Adventure tourism market size to grow by USD 2.50 trillion with contribution from kent USA LLC, austin adventures, and BikeHike adventures inc. as dominant players - technavio. (2022, Jul 15). PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.

 

BCC Research Centre

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Otherwise, contact your local library to see if they provide access.

Publishes 250 reports annually that are complete with market intelligence, five-year forecasts, statistical and analytical data, key players, market share, industry structure and dynamics, and technological shifts and trends.

• BCC Research. (2022, September). Hotel And Other Travel Accommodation Market Global Briefing 2022: Ukraine-Russia War Impact (Report Code MKB1981I). BCC Research. Retrieved from BCC Research database.
• BCC Research. (2022, September). Travel Arrangement And Reservation Services Market Global Briefing 2022: Ukraine-Russia War Impact (Report Code MKB442). BCC Research. Retrieved from BCC Research database.
• BCC Research. (2022, May). Travel Arrangement And Reservation Services Market Global Briefing 2022 (Report Code MKB442E). BCC Research. Retrieved from BCC Research database.
• BCC Research. (2022, May). Hotel And Other Travel Accommodation Market Global Briefing 2022 (Report Code MKB198H). BCC Research. Retrieved from BCC Research database.

 

Business Source Ultimate

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Otherwise, contact your local library to see if they provide access.

Includes financial data, books, videos, company profiles, SWOT analyses, industry profiles, country reports, market research reports and case studies. Also includes information on industry trends, forecasts, outlooks, competitors, how to run a specific business and much more.

• Faeni, D. P., Puspitaningtyas Faeni, R., Alden Riyadh, H., & Yuliansyah, Y. (2023). The COVID-19 pandemic impact on the global tourism industry SMEs: a human capital development perspective. Review of International Business & Strategy, 33(2), 317–327. https://doi.org/10.1108/RIBS-08-2021-0116
• Girma, L. (2022). Canada Counts on Big Outdoors, Indigenous Tourism to Bring Americans Back. Bloomberg.Com, N.PAG.
• Dunne, M. (2022). Taking steps towards sustainable travel. Ipsos News & Polls, N.PAG.
• Shekhar. (2022). Mapping Research on Food Tourism: A Review Study. Paradigm (09718907), 26(1), 50–69. https://doi.org/10.1177/09718907221088798
• MarketLine Industry Profile: Travel & Tourism in Canada. (2020). Travel & Tourism Industry Profile: Canada, 1–89.
• KORSTROM, G. (2019). Indigenous tourism on the rise but remains a niche market. Business in Vancouver, 1523, 8–9.

 

eMarketer

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Or, contact your local public or academic library for their access details.

Global market research and trend analysis database that focuses on Internet, e-business, online marketing, media, and emerging technologies.

• The Weekly Listen: Has travel finally recovered, supporting LGBT+ causes, and is streaming the future of sports?
• Travel industry is ready to keep climbing in 2023 despite some turbulence
• US Travel Industry Digital Ad Spending 2022: Regaining Altitude Despite Economic Headwinds

 

IBISWorld Industry Reports

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

IBISWorld research is an independent, professional publisher of high-quality market research reports. These reports analyze the underlying structure and external forces that drive an industry.

• Buchko, M. (2023, January). Travel Agencies in Canada: Report Number 56151CA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld.
• Brocker, M. (2022, September). Hotels & Motels in Canada: Report Number 72111CA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld.
• Kanada, S. (2022, June). Convention & Visitor Bureaus in Canada: Report Number 56159CA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld.
• Mieles, C. (2021, August). Tour Operators in Canada: Report Number 56152CA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld.
• Wood, G. (2023, January). Travel Agencies in the US: Report Number 56151. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld.
• Ristoff, J. (2023, January). Tourism in the US: Report Number NN002. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld.
• Moreno, A. (2023, January). Hotels & Motels in the US: Report Number 72111. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld.
• McGrath, S. (2021, August). Global Tourism: Report Number X9001-GL. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld.

 

Marketresearch.com/Freedonia Focus

How to access: Check your local public or academic library to see about access. If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

While you can search this website only some Canadian libraries provide full-text access to the market research reports on industries and demographics for North American industries. They can range from 50 to 400+ pages in length, and contain charts, tables, and graphs, and key facts. Marketresearch.com has varied industry coverage and includes US and international information.

• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2022, May). Travel Services: United States. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2019, April). Travel Services: United States. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2022, June). Lodging Services: United States. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.

 

Mergent Online

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Provides access to US and international public company data. This database also contains data on companies that were acquired, went bankrupt, liquidated or merged out of existence from 1995 forward. Users can compare companies and export data into programs like Excel.

Demographic Data

The resources listed in this section will help you identify population characteristics, and help you develop your customer profile. This research will also help you identify geographic areas where the largest number of your potential customers live. This can be very useful when determining a location for your business, and also when formulating your marketing strategy. Don't forget that trade associations and trade journals collect information about customers and can be great information sources for this area of your research.

 

Statistics Canada Data | Formerly known as CANSIM, Statistics Canada's key socioeconomic database is updated daily. It is free to search the data tables.

• Travel and tourism statistics
• Tourism demand in Canada, current prices
• Supply of tourism commodities, constant prices (x1,000,000)
• Supply of tourism commodities, current prices (x1,000,000)
• Employment generated by tourism (x1,000)
• Tourism demand, implicit price indexes, seasonally adjusted
• Provincial and territorial gross domestic product (GDP) and employment generated by tourism and related measures (x 1,000,000)
• Canadian Tourism Activity Tracker and Grouped Data Sources
• Tourism demand in Canada, constant prices (x 1,000,000)

 

The Daily - Statistics Canada

The premier source for Canadian statistical information, including census information. Search 'The Daily' releases by subject to identify corresponding census tables, latest news, and publications. Similarly, you can browse by data source, including surveys & questionnaires relevant to your market research, which also link to census tables, latest news and publications.

• Travel between Canada and other countries, November 2022
• Leading indicator of international arrivals to Canada, December 2022
• National tourism indicators, third quarter 2022
• Canadian Tourism Activity Tracker, October 2022
• Travel arrangement services, 2021

 

Canadian Household Spending - Statistics Canada
Statistics Canada is the national statistical office. The agency ensures Canadians have the key information on Canada's economy, society and environment that they require to function effectively as citizens and decision makers.

This table provides statistical information about household expenditures by Canadians broken down into a variety of categories. You can refine the table by region. You can view the full list of data tables here. 

 

Census Profile - Statistics Canada

Provides Canadian community profiles from the latest Census of Canada. These profiles are very useful for comparing statistics on different municipalities or regional districts. Includes details on family characteristics, primary language, mobility, educational attainment, marital status, labour force activity, earnings, and mode of transportation to work.

 

Socio-Economic Profiles - BC Stats

The socio-economic profiles consist of charts and tables for the various regional districts, health areas, college regions and school districts. Each region contains a map, demographic profile, economic hardship, labour market structure, education concerns, crime, health problems, children at risk, and youth at risk. The profiles are presented in a format that allows comparison to other regions in the province and to BC overall.

Your Target Market

Library Resources

Access to the following sources may be available through your local public or academic library. For information on how to obtain a library card, and for additional information on using libraries in BC, please visit our Getting Access to Library Resources page.

Marketresearch.com/Freedonia Focus

How to access: Check your local public or academic library to see about access. If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

While you can search this website only some Canadian libraries provide full-text access to the market research reports on industries and demographics for North American industries. They can range from 50 to 400+ pages in length, and contain charts, tables, and graphs, and key facts. Marketresearch.com has varied industry coverage and includes US and international information.

• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2022, May). Travel Services: United States. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2019, April). Travel Services: United States. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2022, June). Lodging Services: United States. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.

eMarketer

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Or, contact your local public or academic library for their access details.

Global market research and trend analysis database that focuses on Internet, e-business, online marketing, media, and emerging technologies.

• The Weekly Listen: Has travel finally recovered, supporting LGBT+ causes, and is streaming the future of sports?
• Travel industry is ready to keep climbing in 2023 despite some turbulence
• US Travel Industry Digital Ad Spending 2022: Regaining Altitude Despite Economic Headwinds

Passport GMID (formerly Global Market Information Database)

How to access: Check your local public or academic library to see about access. If you are a UBC student, staff or faculty member you can access this resource. Please note this is not available for walk-in library users.

Passport GMID, produced by Euromonitor, is an integrated information system providing business intelligence on country economies and demographics, consumers, lifestyles, companies and industries. 

• Godinsky, M. (2022, September 29). Tourism Flows in Canada. Passport. Retrieved from Passport GMID database. 
• Bremner, C. (2021, March 12). Sustainable Travel Index: Embracing a Green Transformation for Recovery in Tourism. Retrieved from Passport GMID database. 
• Bremner, C. and A. Jarman. (2022, April 19). New Frontier Markets - The Forefront of Tourism Recovery. Retrieved from Passport GMID database. 
• Bremner, C. (2022, May 24). Building Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient Tourism. Retrieved from Passport GMID database.

WARC: World Advertising Research Center

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

WARC has case studies from major companies and advertising agencies, as well as articles from leading advertising journals and unpublished papers. It also includes company profiles, advertising spending statistics, and demographic and economic data.

• WARC. (2022, November). What will 2023 hold for travel? Retrieved from WARC database.
• WARC. (2021, July). What's working in travel? Retrieved from WARC database.
• WARC. (2021, May). Sustainability: The future of travel? Retrieved from WARC database.

 

Public Opinion Polls

Ipsos

Links to Canadian, U.S. and international polls. Includes polls on consumer goods.

• U.S. Travel Association Consumer Quarterly Tracker – Q1 2023
• COVID travel concerns haven’t left us
• Taking steps towards sustainable travel

Roper Center for Public Opinion

Preserves the data from polls conducted by many leading survey organizations for the use of researchers, students, and journalists. Includes a section on how to analyze polls. Only for those affiliated with UBC.

 

Primary Research

The main point of this guide is to introduce you to a wide range of secondary market research resources but keep in mind there is great value in analyzing other information including:

• Advertising, blogs and sales brochures
• Your personal network and employees
• Direct observation, focus groups and interviews with potential customers

The Daily - Statistics Canada

The premier source for Canadian statistical information, including census information. Search 'The Daily' releases by subject to identify corresponding census tables, latest news, and publications. Similarly, you can browse by data source, including surveys & questionnaires relevant to your market research, which also link to census tables, latest news and publications.

• Travel between Canada and other countries, November 2022
• Leading indicator of international arrivals to Canada, December 2022
• National tourism indicators, third quarter 2022
• Canadian Tourism Activity Tracker, October 2022
• Travel arrangement services, 2021