The Tourism and Hospitality industry includes businesses that offer entertainment and recreation opportunities, as well as activities related to arts. It also includes accommodation and food service businesses, including hotels, bed and breakfasts, restaurants, wineries, distilleries, cideries, and breweries. When looking at the sector across Windsor-Essex, we see a growing sector that has withstood the challenges of the pandemic and has adjusted to changing customer trends for both wellness and adventure. For the purposes of this sector overview, we will focus on NAIC 71 – Arts, entertainment and recreation and 72 – Accommodation and food services. 

This chart compares the number of businesses by industry based on the percentage of the sector they represent. The Performing arts, spectator sports and related industry represents 12% of businesses in the sector. The Heritage Institutions industry represents 1% of businesses in the sector. The Amusement, Gambling and Recreation Industries represents 12% of businesses in the sector. The Accommodation Services industry represents 9% of businesses in the sector. The Food Services and Drinking Places represents 64% of businesses in the sector.

This chart compares the number of businesses by industry in 2023, based on the percentage of the sector they represent. The Performing arts, spectator sports and related industry represents 12% of businesses in the sector. The Heritage Institutions industry represents 1% of businesses in the sector. The Amusement, Gambling and Recreation Industries represents 12% of businesses in the sector. The Accommodation Services industry represents 9% of businesses in the sector. The Food Services and Drinking Places represents 64% of businesses in the sector.

This chart compares the number of businesses within the sector by the number of employees. The Performing arts, spectator sports and related industry has 17 businesses with 1-4 employees, 2 businesses with 5-9 employees, 1 business with 10-19 employees, 4 businesses with 20-49 employees, 2 businesses with 50-99 employees, and no businesses with over 100 employees. The Heritage Institutions industry has 8 businesses with 1-4 employees, 6 businesses with 5-9 employees, 2 businesses and 10-19 employees, and no businesses with over 20 employees. The Amusement, Gambling and Recreation Industries has 33 businesses with 1-4 employees, 19 businesses with 5-9 employees, 17 businesses with 10-19 employees, 30 businesses with 20-49 employees, 6 businesses with 50-99 employees, 3 businesses with 100-199 employees, and no businesses with over 200 employees. The Accomodation Services industry has 23 businesses with 1-4 employees, 11 businesses with 5-9 employees, 12 businesses with 10-19 employees, 13 businesses with 20-49 employees, 1 business with 50-99 employees, no businesses with 100-499 employees, and 1 business with over 500 employees. The Food Services and Drinking Places has 149 businesses with 1-4 employees, 205 businesses with 5-9 employees, 200 businesses have 10-19 employees, 201 businesses with 20-49 employees, 52 businesses with 50-99 employees, 9 businesses with 100-199 employees, 1 business with 200-499 employees, and no businesses over 500 employees.

This chart compares the number of businesses within the sector by the number of employees. The Performing arts, spectator sports and related industry has 17 businesses with 1-4 employees, 2 businesses with 5-9 employees, 1 business with 10-19 employees, 4 businesses with 20-49 employees, 2 businesses with 50-99 employees, and no businesses with over 100 employees. The Heritage Institutions industry has 8 businesses with 1-4 employees, 6 businesses with 5-9 employees, 2 businesses and 10-19 employees, and no businesses with over 20 employees. The Amusement, Gambling and Recreation Industries has 33 businesses with 1-4 employees, 19 businesses with 5-9 employees, 17 businesses with 10-19 employees, 30 businesses with 20-49 employees, 6 businesses with 50-99 employees, 3 businesses with 100-199 employees, and no businesses with over 200 employees. The Accommodation Services industry has 23 businesses with 1-4 employees, 11 businesses with 5-9 employees, 12 businesses with 10-19 employees, 13 businesses with 20-49 employees, 1 business with 50-99 employees, no businesses with 100-499 employees, and 1 business with over 500 employees. The Food Services and Drinking Places has 149 businesses with 1-4 employees, 205 businesses with 5-9 employees, 200 businesses have 10-19 employees, 201 businesses with 20-49 employees, 52 businesses with 50-99 employees, 9 businesses with 100-199 employees, 1 business with 200-499 employees, and no businesses over 500 employees.

This chart compares the number of businesses by industry based on whether they have employees or not. The Performing arts, spectator sports and related industry has 26 businesses with employees and 186 businesses without employees. The Heritage Institutions industry has 16 businesses with employees and 9 businesses without employees. The Amusement, Gambling and Recreation Industries has 108 businesses with employees and 107 businesses without employees. The Accommodation Services industry has 61 businesses with employees and 100 businesses without employees. The Food Services and Drinking Places has 817 businesses with employees and 294 businesses without employees.

This chart compares the number of businesses by industry based on whether they have employees or not. The Performing arts, spectator sports and related industry has 26 businesses with employees and 186 businesses without employees. The Heritage Institutions industry has 16 businesses with employees and 9 businesses without employees. The Amusement, Gambling and Recreation Industries has 108 businesses with employees and 107 businesses without employees. The Accommodation Services industry has 61 businesses with employees and 100 businesses without employees. The Food Services and Drinking Places has 817 businesses with employees and 294 businesses without employees.

This chart shows the number of people working in the Tourism and Hospitality sector between 2013 and 2023. In 2013 there was 16,300 people working in the sector. In 2014, there was 18,700 people working in the sector. In 2015, there was 18,800 people working in the sector. In 2016, there was 18,400 people working in the sector. In 2017, there was 16,700 people working in the sector. In 2018, there was 17,300 people working in the sector. In 2019, there was 19,200 people working in the sector. In 2020, there was 12, 400 people working in the sector. In 2021, there was 15,400 people working in the sector. In 2022, there was 15,900 people working in the sector. In 2023, there was 19,500 people working in the sector.

This chart shows the number of people working in the Tourism and Hospitality sector between 2013 and 2023. In 2013 there was 16,300 people working in the sector. In 2014, there was 18,700 people working in the sector. In 2015, there was 18,800 people working in the sector. In 2016, there was 18,400 people working in the sector. In 2017, there was 16,700 people working in the sector. In 2018, there was 17,300 people working in the sector. In 2019, there was 19,200 people working in the sector. In 2020, there was 12, 400 people working in the sector. In 2021, there was 15,400 people working in the sector. In 2022, there was 15,900 people working in the sector. In 2023, there was 19,500 people working in the sector.


Industries

Local Feature (Image): Caesar’s Windsor 

Do

Windsor-Essex is a vibrant hub for outdoor activities and entertainment that cater to visitors seeking active, playful experiences. From the scenic riverfront parks and cycling trails to kayaking on Lake St.Clair, the region offers endless opportunities for recreation and adventure. Families and thrill-seekers can enjoy mini-golf, concerts, and outdoor festivals that celebrate Windsor’s lively arts and culture scene. These activities not only attract fun-loving visitors but also contribute to the growth of career opportunities in recreation management, event coordination, and leisure services. 

In-Demand Jobs:

Local Feature (Image): Grove Motel 

Stay

Windsor-Essex, with its unique position along the Detroit River and proximity to major attractions, has a thriving accommodations and hotelier industry. From luxury hotels and boutique inns to charming bed-and-breakfasts, the region offers a range of lodging options catering to both leisure and business travelers. With year-round events, festivals, and proximity to casinos, the demand for quality accommodations continues to grow. This growth supports a variety of career opportunities in hospitality, including roles in guest services, event management, and tourism-related business operations. 

In-Demand Jobs:

Local Feature (Image): Rochester Place Golf Club

Play

Experience tourism has expanded over the past several years and can include a variety of activities that inspire the local weekend warrior, out-of-towner or international visitor. Windsor-Essex is a popular destination for birding, boating, fishing, and golfing with a wide range of supportive seasonal and year-round careers.

In-Demand Jobs:

Local Feature (Image): EPIC Wine Trail

Eat & Drink

Windsor-Essex boasts a thriving food and drink scene, celebrated for its rich cultural diversity and local flavors. From farm-to-table dining experiences to craft breweries and award-winning wineries, the region has become a culinary destination for food lovers and beverage enthusiasts alike. Its vibrant restaurant scene, food festivals, and artisan markets showcase everything from gourmet dishes to casual comfort foods. This flourishing sector not only attracts visitors but also supports numerous careers, ranging from chefs and sommeliers to food production, service staff, and hospitality management professionals. 

In-Demand Jobs:

Local Feature: Fort Malden National Historic Site

See

Windsor-Essex offers a rich tapestry of sights and attractions for visitors to explore. From the stunning waterfront views along the Detroit River to the historic architecture of Sandwich Town, there’s something for everyone. Art lovers can immerse themselves in the region’s vibrant gallery scene, while history enthusiasts can visit the Chimczuk Museum and landmarks like Fort Malden National Historic Site. The region is also home to beautiful gardens, including the Windsor Sculpture Park, where art and nature converge along the riverfront. These attractions not only enrich the visitor experience but also support careers in tourism, cultural management, and heritage preservation. 

In-Demand Jobs:


Advantages for the Sector in Windsor-Essex

Approximately 5.6 million people visited Windsor-Essex in 2023, including 1.7 million from the U.S. This annually increasing number reflects the sought after recovery the sector has been needing since 2020, with visitation rates at 98% of 2019 rates. These visitors brought $856 million into our community, supporting the thousands of local businesses in the sector. Hotel occupancy averaged at 70%, a 15% increase from 2023.1 The many advantages that the Windsor-Essex region offers as a host to the Tourism and Hospitality sector are vast. The opportunity for four-season activities provides business opportunities year-round for employers to offer, including wine tours in the fall, water activities in the summer, birding tours in the spring, and light festivals in the winter. As tourism trends point to more interest in wellness activities and climate-friendly adventure, local businesses have begun to offer more outdoor retreats and spa offerings, allowing customers to connect with nature and themselves. Our proximity to the U.S. border provides not only increased traffic to our communities, but an increase in traffic to the wider Windsor-Detroit region, with tourists dining in Windsor and seeing shows in Detroit, or vice versa. The pockets of culture that Windsor-Essex holds provide learning opportunities for tourists interested in the history of the region, including its people, food, and art traditions. Those looking for both land and water activities can benefit from the wine routes in the county and the lake activities available close by. As the interest in visiting and exploring Windsor-Essex grows, local employers are still facing challenges in recruiting and retaining staff to capitalize on these opportunities. 



  1. Tourism Economics; Oxford Economics; STR; Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island; City of Windsor; Statistics Canada; Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corporation; OAG.
Featured Photo Source: Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island