International travel account

Canada's international travel deficit widened from $3.2 billion in the second quarter of 2009 to a record high $3.3 billion in the third quarter.

The main contributor was a 0.8% decline in spending by foreign travellers in Canada between the second and third quarters to $3.7 billion, its lowest level in six years. At the same time, Canadians spent just over $7.0 billion travelling outside the country, a 0.1% increase.

Travel spending by foreigners in Canada has fallen by 15.1% since it peaked at $4.4 billion in the fourth quarter of 2004. This downward trend was the result of a drop in spending by American travellers in Canada.

Travel deficit with the United States declines

The travel deficit with the United States declined by $111 million between the second and third quarters to $2.2 billion.

This was the result of a 2.9% decline in travel spending by Canadians in the United States to $3.9 billion. This decline occurred despite a 2.5% increase in overnight trips to the United States.

Spending by American travellers in Canada decreased 0.4% to $1.8 billion, the lowest quarterly level in over 12 years. A 1.3% decrease in overnight travel from the United States contributed to the decline in spending.

Deficit with overseas countries tops $1 billion

Canada's travel deficit with overseas countries increased by $152 million to a record high of $1.1 billion in the third quarter of 2009.

An increase in travel spending overseas and a decrease in spending by travellers from overseas countries in Canada were responsible for the higher deficit.

Canadian travellers spent $3.1 billion in overseas countries, up 4.3% from the previous quarter, which was in part the result of a 2.9% increase in travel to countries other than the United States.

Spending by travellers from overseas countries fell 1.2% to $2.0 billion. A 4.4% drop in overnight travel from overseas countries contributed to the decline.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey numbers, including related surveys, 3152 and 5005.

The international travel account for the fourth quarter of 2009 and the year 2009 will be released on February 25, 2010.

For more information, call Client Services (toll-free 1-800-307-3382; 613-951-9169; fax: 613-951-2909; tourism@statcan.gc.ca). To enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Eric Desjardins (613-951-1781; eric.desjardins@statcan.gc.ca), Tourism and Centre for Education Statistics Division.