Tourism (domestic and international) contributes just over 2% to Canada’s GDP and accounts for 3.8% of national employment (Table 3.16). The sector’s contribution to both these measures has remained broadly stable over the past five years. In 2006, Canada’s most important international market, the United States, which accounts for 86% of all inbound visitors, is in decline. Overall arrivals from the United States declined by 8.8% in 2006, falling below 30 million for the first time since record keeping started in 1972. The first half of 2007 has also shown decreases in arrivals. A high proportion of international visitors (50%) come to Canada for leisure purposes (including outdoor activities and sports), followed by visiting friends and relatives (18%), with business (including convention and employment) in third place (10%).