Specialization in Leisure Services

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Abstract

This map shows the difference between the actual employment in leisure services and the expected level, based on the city's population and income. Leisure services are a complex group. They are a combination of food services, typically found close to markets, with no strong preference for city size or income; accommodation (hotels and motels), oriented to smaller centres and resort areas but especially in high-income areas; and recreation activities, found in both big-city and high-income locations. These activities are oriented to high-income consumers and are often found in high-amenity rural locations, as well as in many big cities. Values are lowest in manufacturing centres in central Canada.

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Specialization in leisure services is a complex combination of food services, accommodation and recreational activities. Food services (restaurants and bars) are typically found close to markets, with no strong preference for city size or income. Accommodations (hotels and motels) are oriented to smaller centres and resort areas, but especially high-income areas. Recreation activities are found in both big-city and high-income locations. Recreation activities include a variety of activities ranging from movies to movie-making, from casinos to race tracks, and from local fitness clubs to professional sports.

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Photograph of tennis courts and soccer field, Ottawa, Ontario

Geographical Description

This map is composed of four thematic map layers to show leisure specialization in terms of overall leisure activity (initial map view), food services, accommodation and recreation activities. On all map layers, the size of the circles is proportional to the population of the cities and the degree of specialization is shown by the colour in the legend. The overall pattern of specialization in leisure services favours smaller centres in western Canada, and recognizes Canada's leading tourist attractions, both urban and rural. Many of them are peripheral, such as Prince Edward Island, the Rocky Mountains and Niagara Falls. Values are lowest in the manufacturing centres of Ontario and Quebec. It also identifies the border-crossing cities and major tourist centres across the country, including Fort Erie and Windsor (both in Ontario), Québec and Prince Edward Island. Incidences of high specialization in accommodation services are found in the smaller centres in western Canada and near a number of tourist attractions in Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces, such as the Gaspé region of Quebec and Prince Edward Island. Specialization in food services (restaurants and bars) is strongest in the central cities of western Canada, especially along the Trans-Canada Highway.

To properly interpret this map, please consult the text Data and Mapping Notes.