Tuesday, June 14, 2005

SPOTLIGHT: Overseas travel

Britain back on top

MORE Canadians traveled to overseas countries than ever before in 2004, and while most went to Europe, many were opting for a vacation in Caribbean sunspots.

Canadian residents took a record high of more than 5.7 million trips to countries other than the United States, spending a record $8.8 billion in the process.

The number of trips was 13.1% above the level in 2003 when tourism was hit by shocks such as the war in Iraq and the SARS crisis.

The United Kingdom regained its status as the top overseas destination for Canadian travelers as an estimated 753,000 visited Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Mexico was relegated to second place with 705,000 visits.

Overnight visits to the Caribbean were up 16.7% from 2003, with Cuba and the Dominican Republic recording the biggest gains. Each welcomed more than half a million Canadians.

Travel to Asia

In addition, Canadian travel to Asia rebounded substantially after falling in 2003. Overnight visits to the continent rose 31.7%. Travel to China, Japan and Hong Kong each rose by at least 32.0%.

Canadian preferences for overseas countries as opposed to the United States have increased during the past decade. In 1993, only 16% of all trips abroad by Canadians were to overseas countries. By 2004, this proportion had almost doubled to 29%.

In the opposite direction, 3.9 million people from overseas nations took overnight trips into Canada, up 23.6%. This halted three consecutive annual declines. Overseas residents spent $5.4 billion in Canada in 2004, a 22.0% gain.

The United Kingdom retained its status as the most important overseas market to Canada. The number of trips made by Britons to Canada exceeded the 800,000-mark for the first time since 2001.

Overseas markets

All top 12 overseas markets recorded increases in the number of trips to Canada, with Asian countries recording the biggest jumps.

Travel from Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong soared last year after suffering huge declines in 2003.

With respect to the United States, travel was up in both directions. While the Canadian dollar rose 7.7% in value against its US counterpart, overnight travel by Canadians south of the border went up 9.4% in 2004.

New York State remained the most popular overnight destination to visit for Canadian residents. However, Canadians spent the most in Florida, an estimated $2.1 billion.

Americans spent about $8.2 billion in Canada in 2004, up 12.1% from the previous year, although the number of visits by Americans north of the border rose at only half that pace.

For more information, contact Frances Kremarik (613-951-4240), Tourism Subdivision.

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© 2004, 2005 Statistics Canada.