Close X
Monday, November 25, 2024
ADVT 
National

Where Have The Canadian Tourists Gone? Weak Loonie Keeps Them From Visiting US

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 04 Dec, 2015 01:10 PM
    ORLANDO, Fla. — Around this time of year, Joel and Lorraine Leydier usually make their annual drive from their home near Toronto to South Carolina. But this year, they're staying in Canada due to the weak loonie, and others are doing the same.
     
    Visits by the United States' largest supply of international visitors are forecast to be down by 8 per cent this year and another 1 per cent next year. By comparison, overall international visits to the United States are expected to be up half a percentage point this year and up more than 2.5 per cent next year.
     
    Still, some 21.1 million Canadians are expected to come to the United States this year, making up almost 30 per cent of the U.S.'s international visitors.
     
    "We will probably hold off until the dollar straightens itself out a bit," said Joel Leydier.
     
    The Canadian dollar this year has dropped to its lowest level against the U.S. dollar in more than a decade. The loonie has slid 25 per cent against the U.S. dollar in the past three years and now is worth about 75 cents US.
     
     
    After Canada, the biggest sources of international tourists in the United States are Mexico, with a forecast of 17.9 million visitors this year; the United Kingdom, 4.4 million visitors; Japan, 3.5 million visitors; and Brazil, 2.3 million visitors.
     
    In Florida, where 4.2 million Canadians vacation annually, Canadian visits are down 1.4 per cent for the first three quarters of the year, even though overall tourism is up by 5.5 per cent, and Florida is on the path to break the 100 million visitors mark. Florida is the second most popular state for Canadian visitors, trailing only New York.
     
    The Miami market caters to more affluent Canadians and hasn't been as affected as other parts of the state, said Bill Talbert, president and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.
     
    "We are attracting more of the upscale Canadian traveller," said Talbert, whose city saw Brazilians supplant Canadians four years ago as the top source of visitors.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Disappointing Economic Figures Fuel Views That Canada Will Stumble Out Of 2015

    Disappointing Economic Figures Fuel Views That Canada Will Stumble Out Of 2015
    OTTAWA — Fresh bundles of disappointing data rolled out Friday are backing up expectations the Canadian economy is poised to close out the year with a whimper.

    Disappointing Economic Figures Fuel Views That Canada Will Stumble Out Of 2015

    Nova Scotia Medical Residents Ratify Contract Agreement

    Meanwhile, the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union says it has put a contract ratification vote on hold until mid-January for 7,600 civil servants.

    Nova Scotia Medical Residents Ratify Contract Agreement

    Mountie Shot On The Job Considering Return To Work One Year Into Recovery

    Mountie Shot On The Job Considering Return To Work One Year Into Recovery
    KAMLOOPS, B.C. — The RCMP detachment in Kamloops, B.C., has celebrated a milestone in the recovery of one its own a year after the officer was shot during a traffic stop.

    Mountie Shot On The Job Considering Return To Work One Year Into Recovery

    UBC Names Investigator To Probe 'Serious Allegations' Against Steven Galloway

    UBC Names Investigator To Probe 'Serious Allegations' Against Steven Galloway
    VANCOUVER — The University of British Columbia has hired a former judge to investigate "serious allegations" against suspended creative writing chairman Steven Galloway.

    UBC Names Investigator To Probe 'Serious Allegations' Against Steven Galloway

    Stigma A Barrier To Medical Cannabis Research, Advocates Say At Roundtable

    Stigma A Barrier To Medical Cannabis Research, Advocates Say At Roundtable
    VANCOUVER — When Jonathan Zaid turned 18, his mom gave him an unusual birthday present — one that would turn out to be life-changing.

    Stigma A Barrier To Medical Cannabis Research, Advocates Say At Roundtable

    Alberta Premier Says Farm Bill Is About Dignity, Basic Rights; Stands Firm

    Alberta Premier Says Farm Bill Is About Dignity, Basic Rights; Stands Firm
    EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Rachel Notley moved Thursday to quell a maelstrom of discontent over her farm safety bill by saying it's foremost about safety and dignity.

    Alberta Premier Says Farm Bill Is About Dignity, Basic Rights; Stands Firm