TIAC Applauds Olympic Partners on Successful Games
The Tourism Industry Association of Canada, on behalf of its members across the country, wishes to congratulate the organizers and stakeholders on the tremendous success of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver – Whistler over the past two weeks.
The Olympics provided a tremendous global platform for Canada to demonstrate its warmth, and the wealth of experiences that this country offers. TIAC salutes the work of the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) for their Herculean effort in pulling the Games together, and it thanks the Government of Canada, the Government of British Columbia, the City of Vancouver, the Resort Municipality of Whistler, and the City of Richmond for their support and the support of their respective agencies in helping to make this event a reality. TIAC also thanks the Four Host First Nations for their role in hosting the world’s athletes.
TIAC would especially like to thank our partners in tourism, the Canadian Tourism Commission, for their extraordinary work in the lead-up to the Games. We recognize that the CTC’s work in capitalizing on this opportunity has just begun, and TIAC fully supports their strategy going forward. We also recognize the efforts of Tourism British Columbia, Tourism Vancouver, Tourism Whistler and Tourism Richmond for their key role in supporting the Games.
Congratulations to all on a great Olympics, and best of luck for the forthcoming Paralympic Games! |
Canadian Government Moves to Increase Airport Security Charges; Announces Plans to Review CATSA Operations
On February 25, 2010, Transport Minister John Baird announced that the federal government intends to increase the Air Travellers Security Charge by up to almost $9 to offset the costs of enhanced airport security measures. The fee increase, which is subject to Parliamentary approval this spring, means that travellers will foot the bill for the bulk of these security enhancements.
The fee increase comes at a difficult time for the tourism industry, amid continued declining inbound visitation from some of our most important markets including the United States. Nevertheless, TIAC fully supports the need, asserted by Transport Minister John Baird, to keep Canadians safe and secure. An effective and efficient aviation security system which pairs state of the art technology with capable and skilled personnel is an important aspect of maintaining Canada’s security, as well as our status as a world-class destination.
“We have seen additional taxes and service fees creep into the price of travel to and within Canada, and these additional charges negatively impact on Canada’s ability to compete in the global travel market,” said TIAC Interim President and CEO Wayne St. John. “We can’t afford to underestimate the potential impact of these structural price increases.”
However, the industry was also reassured that the Government of Canada plans to launch a full review of the spending, efficiency and structure of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) to ensure that it is fulfilling its mandate effectively. TIAC eagerly anticipates the opportunity to work with government and stakeholders in the review process.
“We appreciate the opportunity to participate in a full examination of CATSA’s mandate, as well as the structure and efficiency of this Crown corporation,” continued St. John. “TIAC firmly believes that maintaining Canada’s competitiveness in the global travel market needs to be a shared objective of the private sector, the government and its agencies.”
To view the federal government’s press release, please visit: http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/mediaroom/releases-2010-h025e-5847.htm
For more information from TIAC, please contact Kevin Desjardins, Director, Communications at kdesjardins@tiac.travel or 613-238-6251. |
U.S. State Department Proposes Increased Passport Processing Fees; Move Will Serve as Further Hindrance to Cross-Border Travel to Canada
On February 9, 2010, the U.S. State Department announced it intends to significantly increase U.S. passport processing fees. While a 30-day public comment period ending March 11, 2010 was initiated, the new prices are expected to come into effect later this year, though a firm date has not been set.
The proposed fee for the regular passport book increases from $100 to $135, and from $85 to $105 for minors. The proposed fee for passport cards increases from $45 to $55, and from $35 to $40, for minors. Adult passport renewals will rise to $110 from $75 (All figures US$). The U.S. passport is valid for 10 years. This compares to Canada’s fees of $87 for a 24-page passport book, which is valid for five years.
The Canadian Passport Possession rate was 53% in 2009; the U.S. Passport Possession rate was 28% in 2007.
The fee increases are expected to act as an even greater hindrance on American travel to Canada. As a result, even American officials in border states have criticised the proposal, and are encouraging Americans to voice their concerns to the U.S. State Department.
To counter the measure, Congressmen Brian Higgins and Chris Lee have introduced the Passport Fee Relief Act, a bill that would provide a refundable tax credit for the cost of passports and other enhanced identification documents required to comply with the implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI).
Meanwhile, American citizens have until March 11 to comment on the proposed increase. TIAC is currently consulting with our tourism partners in the United States to identify next steps in addressing this fee hike.
For more information, please visit http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/fees/fees_4734.html
For more information from TIAC, please contact Kevin Desjardins, Director, Communications at kdesjardins@tiac.travel or 613-238-6251. |
U.S. Congress Passes Bill to Promote U.S. to International Tourists; New Marketing Agency Will Also Assist in Securing Travel Documentation
The U.S. Senate has voted overwhelmingly in favour of legislation that will set up a non-profit corporation for travel promotion. The organization will be tasked with assuring potential visitors that they will be welcomed, while helping them with paperwork and informing them of the many American places of interest outside the usual tourist destinations. One of the organization’s main goals will be to better explain the stricter U.S. entry requirements for foreign visitors since the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
The bill now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature, who has already expressed his support for the bill.
The move comes in response to a report by the U.S. Travel Association that international tourist arrivals had declined in 2009, despite increases globally. Among the reasons for the decrease are increased security procedures after the Sept. 11 attacks that have made visa applications more arduous and airport screening more intimidating.
The move is also intended to bring together some of the state governments’ marketing efforts under a common initiative. Costs for the program would be divided equally between the government and private industry, with Washington contributing up to $100 million a year from a levy placed on international visas.
For more information, please view the recent press release from the U.S. Travel Association at http://www.ustravel.org/news/press-releases/senate-passes-bipartisan-travel-promotion-act |
2009 International Travel Deficit Decreases to $12.2 billion: First Decline Since 2005
In the February 25th edition of The Daily, Statistics Canada reported that while Canada’s international travel deficit edged upward to $3.2 billion in the fourth quarter of 2009, on a yearly basis it fell by $448 million to $12.2 billion in 2009. This represented the first year-over-year decline since 2005.
Similarly, while the travel deficit with the United States increased $97 million to $2.3 billion in the fourth quarter, on a yearly basis the travel deficit with the United States decreased $329 million to $8.6 billion in 2009.
U.S. residents spent $1.8 billion in the fourth quarter, down 2.0% from the third quarter and the lowest level since the second quarter of 1997. A 0.6% decline in overnight travel to Canada by U.S. travellers likely contributed to the decrease in spending.
On an annual basis, the travel deficit with overseas countries fell $119 million to $3.5 billion in 2009. This was attributable to a $115 million decline in Canadian travel spending overseas.
For more information on the international travel account, please view the complete article in the February 25th edition of Statistics Canada’s The Daily.
For more information from TIAC, please contact Catherine Sadler, Manager, Research at csadler@tiac.travel or 613-238-6378. |
International Travel Survey Shows Declines in Overnight Travel from U.S., Mexico, and 10 Overseas Markets
Preliminary third quarter (2009) numbers show declining overnight travel to Canada from a number of key inbound markets. All 10 of Canada's top overseas markets recorded declines in both the number of overnight trips and spending.
The number of overnight trips in Canada by residents of the United Kingdom, Canada's largest overseas market, declined by 19.8% on a year-over-year basis to 260,000 trips, with a corresponding decrease in spending of 24.6%.
Mexican residents took 54,000 trips to Canada in the third quarter, down 46.5% from the same period last year, the largest decline among Canada's top 10 overseas markets. These travellers spent 49.4% less compared with the third quarter of 2008.
Overall, 7 of the top 10 states of origin in the United States recorded declines in overnight trips to Canada. New York continued to be the top state of origin as residents made 660,000 trips to Canada in the third quarter, down 7.3% from the same quarter in 2008, while their spending fell by 9.1%. Washington State surpassed Michigan as the second most common state of origin.
For more information on the International Travel Survey or the Characteristics of International Travellers, please view the complete article in the February 24th edition of Statistics Canada’s The Daily.
For more information from TIAC, please contact Catherine Sadler, Manager, Research at csadler@tiac.travel or 613-238-6378. |
TIAC Announces New Member Benefit: AVIS & Budget Partner with TIAC to Offer Discounted Rates to Members
TIAC is pleased to announce an exciting new partnership with the Avis Budget Group, which establishes another great TIAC membership benefit. All full TIAC members can now take advantage of discounts of 5% to 25% off regular rental rates, by making their reservation booking online with a special discount code provided by TIAC.
TIAC would like to acknowledge the Avis Budget Group for extending this great discount to our members. The Avis Budget Group is a leading provider of vehicle rental services, with operations in more than 70 countries. Through its Avis and Budget brands, the Company is the leading general-use vehicle rental company in North America.
Your membership investment is truly important to TIAC, and as such TIAC is committed to offering its members a full complement of member benefits and services. TIAC recognizes that the commitment and engagement of our membership is essential if we are to continue to build on our success and reinforce our standing as a vital economic engine for Canada.
To obtain your booking code, or for more information, please contact Andrea Labelle, TIAC Director, Business Development at alabelle@tiac.travel or or 613-688-1454. |
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Tourism GDP was $30.3 billion in 2008, an increase from $19.5 billion in 1998. Tourism activity represents 2% of Canada’s GDP.
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