Canadian tourism on the increase

Canada has announced that 2005 was a successful year for tourism with increases in the numbers both domestic and international holidaymakers.

Strong domestic support for local tourism meant that despite the strengthening of the Canadian dollar and rising fuel costs, overall spending across Canada rose by 3.8 per cent, with spending by visitors from abroad generally decreasing by 1.3 per cent, according to government statistics.

The fourth quarter of 2005 did see a rise in international visitor spending however, which is attributed to a 0.9 per cent rise in international tourist numbers.

An increase in the number of overnight stays and day-trips from the United States in particular is considered by the Canadian government to be a major contributing factor.

Domestic spending also grew by one per cent in the fourth quarter, but the calculated international travel deficit for the same period apparently indicates that Canadian travellers spend slightly more when they travel abroad than foreign visitors spend in Canada.

With a population of 30 million, an enormously diverse natural habitat and high levels of safety, cleanliness and quality of life, for eight consecutive years the United Nations has ranked Canada as the best country in the world to live.

Posted by Just the Flight, 28 March 2006 12:33

News tags