Niagara is bustling with activities in all its major industry sectors.
Tourism has emerged as the driving force of Niagara's economic renaissance and is a significant contributor to an industry sector that generates over $57 Billion to the Canadian economy. As the number one tourist destination in Ontario, the Niagara region receives 50% of all travellers entering the province and accounts for 40% of the Ontario tourism industry.
Niagara’s manufacturing sector has been the backbone of Niagara’s economy. It remains an important sector of the Niagara region economy. Although employment levels have declined in recent years, Niagara’s manufacturing sector employs approximately 30,000 people (2004). It remains the largest wealth-producing sector and contributor to the region's $14.13 Billion Gross Domestic Product (2000).
An emerging advanced technology manufacturing sector is gaining momentum in Niagara led by small to medium sized Canadian manufacturers with niche market products. These companies are supported by Niagara College’s leading-edge Centre for Integrated Manufacturing Training and Applied Research and its Centre for Advanced Visualization as well as it specialized microelectronics, photonics and ceramics laboratories.
Niagara agriculture has been on the upswing in recent years. It has reversed provincial trends with 117.7% growth in employment over the period 1989 to 1999. The region is the heartland of the Canadian wine industry and is the anchor of a high profile, agri-food strategy for the region. With 260+ greenhouses and over 18.2 million square feet under glass or plastic in the region, this sector of the agriculture industry has grown steadily.
The commercial services sector is now the largest employer (29.6%) and the second largest contributor to total output (15.9%).
