International travel account, second quarter 2012
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Canada's international travel deficit with the world increased by $91 million to $4.2 billion during the second quarter. This was the result of higher payments by Canadian travellers abroad, which more than offset the increase in receipts from foreign travellers in Canada.
Canadian travellers spent $8.5 billion outside the country during the second quarter, up 1.5% from the first quarter.
At the same time, receipts from foreign travellers in Canada increased 0.8% to $4.4 billion, the highest level since the fourth quarter of 2004.
Canada's international travel deficit increases, second quarter 2012
Chart description: Canada's international travel deficit increases, second quarter 2012
Travel deficit with the United States widens
Canada's travel deficit with the United States increased by $45 million to $3.3 billion in the second quarter. This was principally the result of a 1.3% increase in payments by Canadian travellers in the United States who spent just under $5.2 billion.
The increase in payments coincided with an advance in overnight travel by Canadian residents to the United States. The number of overnight trips by automobile rose 2.2% to 3.4 million, the highest quarterly level since the third quarter of 1992.
As of June 1, the duty-free exemptions for Canadians returning from trips abroad changed. For those away from the country for 24 hours or more, the change was from $50 to $200. For those residents away 48 hours or more, the change was from $400 to $800.
Receipts from American travellers in Canada amounted to $1.9 billion, up 1.3% from the previous quarter and the highest amount since the fourth quarter of 2008. During the same period, the number of trips by Americans to Canada increased 0.6%.
Record high payments by Canadians in overseas countries
Payments by Canadian travellers in overseas countries rose 1.7% to $3.4 billion in the second quarter. Receipts from overseas travellers to Canada also rose, but at a slower rate, advancing 0.4% to $2.5 billion. As a result, Canada's travel deficit with overseas countries increased by $46 million to $864 million.
The increase in payments by Canadians was in line with travel to overseas countries, which rose by 2.1% in the second quarter to 2.4 million trips. Although receipts from overseas travellers in Canada increased, the volume of travel from overseas nations fell 3.4% to 1.1 million trips.
Note to readers
This international travel account analysis is based on quarterly data, which are subject to revision. All data are seasonally adjusted unless otherwise stated. Amounts are in Canadian dollars and are not adjusted for inflation. For more information on seasonal adjustment, see Seasonal adjustment and identifying economic trends.
Receipts represent spending from foreign travellers in Canada, including education spending, medical spending and spending by crew members.
Payments represent spending by Canadian residents travelling abroad, including education spending, medical spending and spending by crew members.
Overseas countries are those other than the United States.
Definitions, data sources and methods: survey numbers survey number3152 and survey number5005.
The international travel account for the third quarter will be released on November 28.
For more information, contact Statistics Canada's National Contact Centre (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 613-951-8116; infostats@statcan.gc.ca).
To enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Riley Brockington (613-951-2995; riley.brockington@statcan.gc.ca), Tourism and Centre for Education Statistics Division.
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