Decline in U.S. visitors to B.C. continues
Last Updated: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 | 8:53 PM ET
The number of Americans visiting British Columbia continues to decline, Statistics Canada reports
The new figures show a seven per cent drop in the last year alone. The number of visitors from the U.S. has been declining every year since 2001, and the new figures mirror the seven per cent drop seen in 2006.
David Roberts with Prince of Whales Tours in Victoria says European visitors are making up for the decline in visitors from the U.S. (CBC)
Across Canada, same-day travel from the U.S. has dropped 41 per cent over the past two years.
Visits are now at an all-time low, and the start of this trend can be traced back to Sept. 11, 2001, according to Statistics Canada analyst Paul Durk.
"Since then, there have been real or perceived issues around crossing the border, entering the United States or returning to the United States," Durk said. "The dollar has changed [and] the economy in the United States has changed."
While the number of Americans visiting B.C. has declined, the number of visitors from other countries rose by 1.4 per cent in the past year.
That shift has caused tourism operators to rethink who they target with their advertising.
"For us, it's been more than made up for with the European market. The Mexican market is coming on strong [and] the Australian market is coming on strong," said David Roberts with Prince of Whales Tours in Victoria.
Overseas visitors more than offset the decrease in American visitors, according to B.C. Tourism Minister Stan Hagen.
"We're going to focus on other markets. We've spent a lot of money advertising in the United States, the economy is tough in the United States, so that's why we're diversifying our strategy," Hagen said.
While the number of American visitors is declining, more Canadians are travelling to the U.S. than ever before. The Statistics Canada figures show those visits over the past six months are the highest since 1998.
Similar news in Quebec. Tourism down 12% the lowest since they started keeping records in 1972. Citing fuel costs, stronger Canadian Dollar and elimination of the tax refund for foreign visitors.
We are in Montreal for the Summer. Diesel $5.50 Gallon (US)
Looks like it will make the driving easier for the ones of us that will be in Canada this year. We will be in BC by the end of June. Have reservations in Saskatoon for 24 days starting August 15th. As long as diesel will stay under $10.00 a gallon we will keep going.
Lonnie and Sue
2007 HR Ambassador 40'
2008 Chevy Colorado Z71 4x4 Crew Cab
West Texas, Retired
Fulltimers. No more grass to cut, no more leaves to rake, and can move if we don't like our neighbors.
States we spent time in, drive throughs not marked.
Hate to here this for you folks up there as a lot depends on tourists. All tho it will make it easer for this old man to stay out of every one's way and easer to find a place to pull over when tired. It will pick up as soon as this stupid war (Like I said when it started it will be another Nam and we could of ended it if they would of let us but it had to be kept up till election so the new President could look good) and elections are over. We are fighting for there freedom and paying them over 130.00 for oil. something ain't rite here.
Geno
Gene"n"Betty 2003 G.M.C. 3500 S.L.T.ext cab dually duramax/allison
2009 33ft Crossroads Seville 3 slides. Just the Wife, me and Dusty a loud mouth Parrot.
P.S. Im still coming to see your bueatiful country and meet some nice folk. I leave in 9 days providing the Wife and Sis get there stuff that will probably over load me.
Hi! Here in southwestern Ont the absence of American tourists really shows. The CBC news yesterday interviewed Detroiters about coming to the new Windsor Casino. The concensus seemed to be gas cost, border hassles, higher Canadian dollar made it easier to stay home. Our local destination hotel usually is booked solid for the Memorial Day weekend but is at about 60% now. Hope things improve for both sides of the border.
Al
There certainly are fewer American Tourists Visible Both Here and in Mexico , at least that seems to be My Observation! There are likely fewer US Citizens traveling anywhere these days , I Suspect that mostly it's due to the Poor Economy although with the increased Security since 911 there is no question that People from the US are likely just not wanting to go to the expense and bother of getting Passports or dealing with the long lines at Airports and Border Crossings!
Rob & Jean 90 Southwind John Deere/Oshkosh/Freightliner Class A Ford 460/ Toad 92 Tracker 2 wd 5sp Convert Still running Great!
Don't blame the would-be tourists, travel costs have hit the ceiling so far this year. But not only that, the constant buzz about border security, even the talk in past of Minutemen deployment to the north, inability to easily bring firearms across neighbouring borders, all contribute. At the Peace Arch border crossing south of Vancouver, half the lanes have been closed on the USA side while they carry out a two-year makeover, although they are promising to reopen them temporarily during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic games.
To top it off, the Greenback fell below the value of the Loonie again yesterday - and that can be a bit of a blow if one once paid for a Canadian hamburger with a $20 American bill and got back a $20 Canadian plus coin, as change. Canada may no longer be a bargain for Americans. For Europeans, it still is - because their currencies are strong, their fuel has been costlier for years, they will already have the passports plus their governments may not be haranguing them regarding the dangers of travel in North America.
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