THE CANADIAN MARKET

Canada is the leader in international visitors to the U.S.

• April 2010 – Canada visitation to the U.S. (2.2 million) was up 16 percent in July 2010. Visits (11.4 million) increased 13 percent YTD. In July 2010, air arrivals (473,000) were up 20 percent and land arrivals (1.7 million) were up 16 percent. YTD, air arrivals (4.2 million) were up 15 percent and land arrivals (7.1 million) were up 12 percent.

• North America – The top two markets generating visitors to the U.S. – Canada and Mexico – are each forecast to increase by seven percent in 2010, and to grow by 26 and 35 percent, respectively, from 2009 to 2014. Canada and Mexico are forecast to set new records in 2010 and 2011, respectively.

United States Travel and Tourism Exports: October 2010

• 2010 bookings from Canada to the United States registered double-digit growth, on average, for the second quarter in a row, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce sponsored Canada Travel Trade Barometer. Canada tour operators reported (as of July 26 – September 6, 2010) that on average, bookings increased 10 to 15 percent in the second quarter 2010. Summer bookings were projected to be higher by just over two thirds (67%) of the respondents.

• In the first two months of 2010, 2.484 million Canadians visited the USA. This is up 10.7% over the first quarter of 2009.

• In 2009 – 17.96 million Canadian s visited the USA, the majority coming from Ontario and Quebec. Canadians account for 37% of foreign visitors to the USA, maintaining its status as the #1 tourist generating country.

Canadians are a higher yield visitor and love to spend!

December 27, 2010
Monthly U.S. Travel and Tourism Exports Surpass Two-Year High

• The U.S. Department of Commerce recently announced that international visitors spent an estimated $11.9 billion on travel to, and tourism-related activities within, the United States during the month of October – nearly $1.8 billion more (18%) than was spent in October 2009-marking the tenth straight month of growth in U.S. travel and tourism exports. Total travel and tourism-related exports have increased, on average, $1.4 billion a month in 2010.

• International visitors have spent an estimated $111.5 billion on U.S. travel and tourism-related goods and services year to date (January through October), an increase of 11 percent when compared to the same period last year and the sixth consecutive month of double-digit growth.

International visitation up 12% for the first seven months of 2010 with spending valued at $76.7 billion.

• Canadian visits to the U.S. almost equal all Overseas visitation. Overseas visitation totalled 1.7 million for the month, up eight percent over January 2009.

• Canadian visitation totalled 1.3 million, was up 13 percent in January. In January 2010, air arrivals totalled 631,000, up 12 percent and land arrivals totalled 670,000, up 15 percent.

• The U.S. Department of Commerce projects international travel to the United States to return to a growth mode in 2010. Visitor volume is expected to increase five percent followed by five to seven percent annual increases through 2014.

• Canadian trips to the US by automobile from January to April 2010 increased by 12.8% over the same period last year, making a total of 13.278 million trips. In April alone the rate of automobile trips increased by 17.2%.

• The present day Canadian economy is strong, as is the Canadian dollar. Unemployment is low (at 7.9% this is the first time the rate has been below the 8% mark since January 2009) and housing prices are strong – up 4.9% from June 2009 to June 2010.

This is the perfect time to reach out and get your share of the Canadian Traveling market!