I'd tell you this was me, but that'd be the biggest lie I've told all year...Get the hankie out...tourism to Canada is down this year. In fact, it's more than down as Americans visiting the country is at the lowest level since statistics tracking such visits were kept. Canadian alarm bells are ringing:
"Canada's tourism sector is on the brink of crisis," says Randy Williams, president of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada in Ottawa. "We've been facing a lot of external challenges, and each time one gets dealt with, another one comes along."We all know Canada is a vast and gorgeous country, so what's going on? One is, of course, the economic woes. Car trips are expectedly down with the increase in the price of gas. Two is the exchange rate. For the first time I can remember a Canadian dollar is worth more than an American dollar. It's simply unheard of! I remember buying so many bargains on my last trip there...but not these days. The other primary reason is the change in policy that requires that US visitors have a passport to re-enter the USA by air. You used to be able to use a drivers license or birth certificate, but no more. This has created some problems.
And, it just continues to shock me just how few Americans have passports. Me and everyone I know have had one forever, but many Americans haven't gone through the process.
And, until they do...no Canada for them.
I plan to visit Canada next year as I'm gunning to revisit Whistler/Blackcomb for the annual ski trip. I freaking love that place - great ski and even better apres ski. Love it.
U.S. tourists' visits to Canada hit 36-year low [Seattle Times]
Whistler/Blackcomb [Official Site]
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