Library Databases

Published: February 8, 2023

Updated: February 9, 2023

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.