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'Perfect storm' hits Canada's tourism market

JOSHUA CLIPPERTON

The Canadian Press

Latest comment posted at 11:35 AM EST 30/07/08

High gas prices, strong dollar, economic woes result in noticeable declines in visitors to Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver ...Read the full article

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  1. Joe Bloggs from Vancouver, Canada writes: Perhaps another factor in the tourist decline in Vancouver is that it's just not as beautiful as it used to be. I live in downtown Vancouver and the streets nowadays are disgustingly filthy. Why? Perhaps a number of factors, one of which may be that one never sees anybody cleaning up litter any more. What does our city council think of the litter on the streets? An exacerbating factor may stem from the recent bylaw which prohibits smoking from within six metres of any doorway. Although I applaud all efforts to restrict smoking, that new bylaw has resulted in shifting the mountain of cigarette butts from doorways to street corners where shopkeepers are less likely to be proactive and clean the mess up themselves. Perhaps the city should provide more waste containers or ensure that the downtown streets are cleared of litter on a regular basis. It's embarrassing to see tourists walking around that filth. I just got back from a trip to Hong Kong and, frankly, their streets are in far better shape than the streets of Vancouver.
  2. Winston Smith from Canada writes: Excellent! Maybe the tourism lobby will pressure Gordo to chop throw out the carbon tax. High gasoline prices gives American tourists another reason not to come up to B.C. Why would American visitors want to pay $5.50- $6/gallon to drive around in B.C. when they can pay <$4.5/gallon to travel in the U.S.?
  3. Love my Country Expect More From My GOVERNMENT from TO, Canada writes: I recently had an assignment to photograph a large group from all around the UK on a very expensive tour of Toronto, I had an opportunity to observe their reactions to our city. I think they will remember most a dirty city littered with cigarettes and the countless homeless begging for money.
    As a photographer I was shocked at the number of hotels restaurants etc that were happy to take their money but forbid the taking of Photographs, they all said 'for security reasons', one very expensive restaurant after serving an expensive 3 couse lunch with wine refused giving them water because the bill was closed, all they asked for was a few glasses of tap water. Quebec gets tourism, Toronto has no idea.
    4 weeks later I still find this experience disturbing.
  4. Richard Hawrelak from Sarnia, Canada writes: And yet, Westin, my hotel on business, is offering free gas at certain locations. Ref G&M a few weeks ago.

    When our dollar slipped to 90 cents on the U.S. dollar, many motels in Florida took our money on par. As long as they did, we travelled south. Time for Cdn tourist industry to suck it up or go fish.
  5. Brit . from Canada writes: This article is not true. There is lots of tourists fro Europe and Asia visiting to replace the reduced Americans. The tourists are reducing their spending when they visit and avoiding the expensive tourist buses and high end restaurants.
  6. Mothers Talk from Dizney Land USA, Canada writes: Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, etc, these are the last places in the world I would want to visit on a vacation. Why anyone who lives in a big city would want to visit another crowded filthy big city as a vacation trip is beyond me. Take me away from the city, how about a few weeks in a remote heartland of some provincial park with nothing but a canoe, a tent and a fishing pole...heaven.
  7. Nassar Ben Houdja from Canada writes: The comment on the waiter's refusal to give a patron in some restaurant tap water would be disturbing any where but Toronto, they are a strange people, entitled to their entitlements. What is with that place anyway, one step sideways and two steps back, sounds like a bar song from Calgary.
  8. Mean Machine from Bugtussle, Canada writes: now we learn the folly of counting on tourism,this is a resource based nation,jobs from resources should take precedence,tourists are merely a bonus.
  9. Darren X3 from Toronto, Canada writes: Winston Smith, perhaps you can explain to us how it is that a 2.7 cent per litre carbon tax makes for a one or two dollar difference in the price of a gallon of gas? There are four litres in a gallon, so 2.7 cents a litre is about 10 cents a gallon.

    Gasoline has ALWAYS been more expensive in Canada than in the US (remember when Canadians used to cross the line just to buy gas?). That never stopped Americans from coming here before.

    Love my Country... Toronto is more dirty and rude than London? I highly doubt it.... London was the rudest place I've ever been, and after a day walking the streets you can blow your nose and the gunk that comes out is black!
  10. Mothers Talk from Dizney Land USA, Canada writes:
    'Nassar Ben Houdja from Canada writes: The comment on the waiter's refusal to give a patron in some restaurant tap water would be disturbing any where but Toronto'

    Why anyone would want to drink Toronto city tap water or any big city tap water is beyond me, give me pure bottled spring water or nothing. Maybe they could have given them a bottle of PC choice lime carbonated mineral water instead?
  11. Counterspinner tells the truth from Canada writes: Another element to the perfect storm is the anti-americanism that spreads like rot through the auspices of devices like the cbc and ctv. Why would americans come to where they are not welcome? Think about it.
  12. Mothers Talk from Dizney Land USA, Canada writes: 'Winston Smith from Canada writes: High gasoline prices gives American tourists another reason not to come up to B.C. '

    So?
  13. Don Wells from Canada writes: Vacation in Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver? Who in their right mid would want to?--Seems t be a lot of foreign license plates around Calgary and Banff--As usual Alberta-Calgary and the Rocky Mountains get no respect from the Globe&M
  14. Clutch Cargo from Canada writes: Isn't Perfect Storm one of those awful over used phrases like Sea Change that should be dumped from the english language like:

    Game plan
    Going forward
    Low-hanging fruit
    Rightsizing
    Value-added
    Full and frank
    Spinmeister
    Infotainment
    Empowerment
    Negative coping mechanism

    You might say they are all sub-prime ;)
  15. Popeye Dillon from North Vancouver, Canada writes: Several factors here. Gas, border and attitude have kept the Yanks away. If you don't feel welcome and it's expensive why bother, there are lots of tourist destinations in the world. June was a lousy month here in Vancouver, July has been decent. I drive a tour bus in the city during the summer. Who wants to pay good money to be driven around construction projects who don't seem to have any rhyme or reason to their completion dates. Would you fly from Texas to see a cement mixer in Canada? I've lived in Vancouver for 23 years and the city is run by a bunch of short sighted self serving clowns. Some body's a** should be on a hook over the power outage a few weeks ago. Canada Place a cruise ship terminal and one of the best hotels in the city with the Pan Pacific without power for almost three days. This type of hotel draws money people and they must have thought ' How Bush League!' We've got a major event coming in 2010, and it's being run by a bunch of little league bench warmers!
  16. Mothers Talk from Dizney Land USA, Canada writes: The solution to this problem is to sell more cars and trucks and boats and motorcycles and ATVs and snowmobiles and riding lawntractors and give everyone cheap gas so they can drive around in circles some more, 24 hrs a day, 365days a year. Who cares about the envronment as long as we have the freedom that a liberal democracy allows us so we can drive around in circles more and more everyday. Burn some more OIL it's every americans birth right. You can see the sights through the smog on the way past. Life is good for everyone.
  17. Winston Smith from Canada writes: Darren X3 from Toronto, Canada writes: Gasoline has ALWAYS been more expensive in Canada than in the US

    Exactly the point. Weak USD is already bad enough. What add fuel to the fire? A road trip in the U.S. is far more attractive for them than ever.
  18. J Norman from Edmonton, Canada writes: Appallingly bad customer service, like restaurants refusing to provide water to paying customers or prohibiting souvenir photographs, will have a worse and longer impact on tourism than high gas prices. Some people in the service industry just don't get it.
  19. Roop Misir from Toronto, Canada writes: Take nothing for granted., folks. Times and climates \are changing!

    Should we go on eco-tours instead, and not bars and brothels?l
  20. Phil H from Canada writes: Counterspinner tells the truth from Canada writes:

    'Another element to the perfect storm is the anti-americanism that spreads like rot through the auspices of devices like the cbc and ctv. Why would americans come to where they are not welcome?'

    I didn't realize Americans spent so much time watching the CBC and CTV.

    'Think about it.'

    That's the problem. I did.

    P.S. Clutch Cargo... thx for your comment, that's what I originally intended to post about.
  21. Is there anybody out there? from Canary Islands, Canada writes: Where is Stephen Harper? Hiding in the Tar Sands?
  22. Is there anybody out there? from Canary Islands, Canada writes: This so much fun. Let's all vote Conservative again.
  23. J L from Toronto, Canada writes: Canada is like a beautiful lady who is in desperate need of a makeover. She needs to take off the glasses, let her hair down, put on some make-up, etc and get out into the world!

    For a country with so much natural beauty and wealth we really do not come close to fully exploiting what we have. If we really want to compete for toursim we need to step it up big time! We have been lucky with our cheap dollar but now that that is gone we really need to actually entertain our tourists.
  24. John Smith from Ottawa, Canada writes: Re: Love my Country Expect More From My GOVERNMENT from TO, Canada:

    First...these are UK tourists that you are talking about. Sure, Americans have bluster, and Germans are loud, but they don't whine about every little thing like the Brits. I know this first-hand as all of my relatives are from the island. So am I.
    Regarding the filth and butts...WHERE? Few people smoke in Toronto as it is quite sanctimonious about that. The people are equally sanctimonious about politeness. Open a door for any Torontonian and you get a thank you, even if it is a passing mumble. Try that in Ottawa or Quebec. Or London. New York...yes. Darren X3's description of London is succinct and accurate.

    As for taking photos...if you are a photographer, where have you been for the last century? Nearly ALL private establishments around the world object to it. If you don't believe me, go south the States and try taking photos inside a plaza or motel lobby. You'll have security people giving you warnings and following you all over the place. I walked into a department store in Boston and was accosted by security for carrying a camera. They wanted to confiscate it during my visit. I left with a bad feeling. Escorted! And the camera never left the closed case.

    Regarding the water...sorry, I don't believe you. Or the rest of your comments, for that matter.
  25. Bob Fox from Calgary, Canada writes: Don Wells from Canada writes: Vacation in Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver? Who in their right mid would want to?--Seems t be a lot of foreign license plates around Calgary and Banff--As usual Alberta-Calgary and the Rocky Mountains get no respect from the Globe&M

    ______________________________________________________

    Actually, many tourists have learned to stay away from Calgary and other cities except maybe to get gas and go directly to the National Parks or other wilderness areas because that's what they really want to see. Downtown Calgary is OK if you're wearing kevlar.
  26. Mothers Talk from Dizney Land USA, Canada writes: 'Popeye Dillon from North Vancouver, Canada writes: Would you fly from Texas to see a cement mixer in Canada?'

    I think some americans would, you need to understand it's the simple things that make it worth while, and to make it really interesting the mixer could rotate and you could actually see the cement mixing inside.
  27. L.B. MURRAY from !! from Canada writes: As a very critical, Voltairian person, my 2-cents comment is that the person who cited ''Perfect Storm'' is absolutely spot-on. Let's not forget that there is a major ''recession'' coming to the U.S. soon and with so many people losing their jobs thanks to outsourcing, so many others losing their houses....Americans are feeling the pain, even at home in wealthy suburbs around the U.S..... Check out the huge Galleria shopping centers and look at the few customers and the 70-percent-off signs... Perfect storm: Border crossing hassles, high-price of gas, Canadian-US dollars almost at par.... which means, what we tend to forget, that another element, the weather, comes into play and with non-stop rain, Canadians are taking advantage of their dollar and flying down to sunnier places like Cuba, Floriada....But... they'd better check the weather ahead of time.... They might be caught in some ''hurricane''....

    -
  28. Jeff Christian from Canada writes: Just returned from visit to California for two weeks. Restaurants cheaper, clothing at about half price, hotels 30% cheaper, entertainment cheaper, reading material 40% cheaper, gas cheaper, people friendly, great service, why would any American come to Canada for essentially the same things at gouging prices by retailers who get away with gouging Canadians every day?
  29. Mike from Van from Vancouver, Canada writes: Please learn to use 'myriad' correctly.
  30. Sweeney Todd from Oilberta, Canada writes: It won't be the high price of gas here that'll be keeping Americans away. Or the CBC or CTV. The majority of Americans would not likely be able to find Canada on a map of the world. They know nothing about us. Our economy - whether booming or busting - is just not on their radar.

    What's keeping our US cousins home, is the cost of gas THERE. And the credit crunch, housing mess & bank problems THERE. Add to that border crossing issues for THEM on their return trips home, and there you are. Or rather, that's where THEY are. And many of them are not here.
  31. Gary Dare from Portland, Oregon, Canada, writes: Counterspinner writes, 'Another element to the perfect storm is the anti-americanism that spreads like rot through the auspices of devices like the cbc and ctv.' Where can I find CTV and CBC on my Comcast line-up? And if 80% of Americans think that the Bush Administration is doing a bad job, does that mean 80% of Canadians are being anti-American by approving of Bush? (:
  32. L.B. MURRAY from !! from Canada writes: Jeff Christian from Canada writes: Just returned from visit to California for two weeks. Restaurants cheaper, clothing at about half price, hotels 30% cheaper, entertainment cheaper, reading material 40% cheaper........
    ________________________________

    Jeff, you're right.... Spouse and I usually go to San Diego in December and January which is low-season in California and perfect weather... 20 to 22C in the daytime and 15C at night, no use of air conditioning... but even in San Diego and especially that high-priced suburb up north in La Jolla are feeling the pain.... Lots of repossessed homes, lots of unsold condos... on top of all the bargains to be found everywhere.... Even fine French cheeses are cheaper in California than in Canada or France! not to mention those California wines...

    Right now, there seems to be a lot of European tourists in Quebec City and I was there last week and am planning to go back at least 2 or 3 times ...

    Carpe diem.

    -
  33. A reader from Canada writes: High gas prices, a weak dollar and economic woes has resulted in few Americans travelling even within their own country period. Las Vegas has also experienced a decline in tourists as has many other American cities.
  34. Joe Black from Canada writes: Counterspinner tells the truth from Canada writes:

    'Another element to the perfect storm is the anti-americanism that spreads like rot through the auspices of devices like the cbc and ctv. Why would americans come to where they are not welcome?'

    I know I always tune in for when they burn old glory and a copy of the Bill of Rights on Saturday night, and then have those interesting bio-pics on Karl Marx. j/k

    I think its good to bear in mind that high gas prices can't be doing the tourism industry any favours in other countries either. I thought domestic tourism within Canada was actually on the rise, so maybe we're getting to know our own country a little bit better. Nothing wrong with that.
  35. Gary Dare from Portland, Oregon, Canada, writes: Winston Smith writes, 'Why would American visitors want to pay $5.50- $6/gallon to drive around in B.C. when they can pay <$4.5/gallon to travel in the U.S.?' At current prices, many American are being crushed by their commute (you burn more gas crossing larger distances down here, on average) with undertaxed gas. I say 'undertaxed' because the buck a gallon will narrow as state and local governments are upping non-income taxes including sales taxes (that includes gas). Speaking of sales tax, Chicago's hit 10.25% on July 1st and can go as high as 12% with downtown surtaxes, so that's not an excuse. With a drop in domestic travel during the Memorial and July 4th holiday weekends and talk of staycations, it's not hard to figure why Americans can't make it to the border.

    And let's not get started on folks who fly, who will see a shock treatment in US domestic flight cuts and fare hikes after Labor Day (air fares are already closing in on profitable or break-even Canadian levels on the legacy carriers, even Southwest has removed their $299 cap on one way fares ... one colleague in San Jose just paid $800 on SW for a last minute trip to the east coast). This also means advice to run for the border to take a cheaper flight out of Seattle or Buffalo is becoming outdated.

    http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2008-06-03-airlines-cuts-flights-fares_N.htm
  36. Gary Dare from Portland, Oregon, Canada, writes: Popeye Dillon writes, 'Who wants to pay good money to be driven around construction projects who don't seem to have any rhyme or reason to their completion dates.' Chicago is one of the few US cities that has not seen much of a drop-off in domestic visitors and this doesn't seem to be stopping people. Le Colonial, and its companion nightclub Le Passage, are diagonal corner opposite from a 12 storey condo (possibly to convert to rental) building site.
  37. Comments closed, censored, deleted or made to disappear from Mini Bushland, Canada writes: Meanwhile, millions of Chinese are touring the world... including the USA, with much money to spend. --- What can one say? Canada and Canadian media prefer to indulge in vicious anti-Chinese campaigns on a daily basis and censor those who point that out. Enjoy!
  38. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:
    While a few have mentioned CBC..I believe we have also been nailed by American FOX for our stand on Iraq at the get-go, and influential commentators. Here is one example.

    This doesn't help:

    Outspoken TV host Pat Buchanan is calling Canada a 'Soviet Canuckistan' for its criticism of a U.S. law demanding photos and fingerprints from Arab-Canadian visitors to the country.

    'It's the blame America first crowd,' Buchanan said Thursday during his two-hour show Buchanan and Press on the cable network MSNBC.

    'The Canadians have been defended by the United States, they pay nothing for defence. 'That place is a complete haven for international terrorists,' he told co-host Bill Press. 'Even their own retired security guys say it's a complete haven. We need lectures from some people, not from Soviet Canuckistan.'

    Maybe poor Pat is just upset because we don't have 72 oz. cups of pop and 64 oz. styrofoam coffee cups (and no re-fill program). I am sure for Pat is has nothing to do with the 5 pounds of supersized freedom fries we don't offer, along with the stomach churning of the famous Big Mac. (where's the Zantac......and the washroom???)
    .
  39. Joe Black from Canada writes: Comments closed, censored, deleted or made to disappear from Mini Bushland, Canada writes: 'Meanwhile, millions of Chinese are touring the world... including the USA, with much money to spend. --- What can one say? Canada and Canadian media prefer to indulge in vicious anti-Chinese campaigns on a daily basis and censor those who point that out. Enjoy!'

    Right.... You're a pretty sheltered individual if you think the Canadian media runs alot of 'vicious' anti-foreigner campaigns. Maybe you should check out the media from say Iran or Russia sometime, and how they portray other people from other countries. Hell even Fox News is alot more 'vicious' than anything you'd find up here.
  40. Gary Dare from Portland, Oregon, Canada, writes: Jeff Christian writes, 'Just returned from visit to California for two weeks. Restaurants cheaper, clothing at about half price, hotels 30% cheaper, entertainment cheaper, reading material 40% cheaper, gas cheaper, ...' On the restaurants and hotels, as a regular visitor to LA, SF and SJ, I would beg to differ unless you were staying out in the suburbs and cooking in your kitchenette. For restaurants, I do concede that we don't have Red Robin in Canada. My regular Fairmont and Marriott mailings show their Toronto and Vancouver hotels to be at or below the prices being charged in the Bay Area and SoCal.

    The stores are about the only place where folks can cut a break down here but prices are rising pretty rapidly so I'm glad that you still found some savings while they can still be had.
  41. Joe Black from Canada writes: Comments closed, censored, deleted or made to disappear from Mini Bushland, Canada writes: 'Meanwhile, millions of Chinese are touring the world... including the USA, with much money to spend. --- What can one say? Canada and Canadian media prefer to indulge in vicious anti-Chinese campaigns on a daily basis and censor those who point that out. Enjoy!'

    Whats the matter a little criticism of the Chinese police state hurt your feelings? Aww.... poor little guy. Wanna tissue?
  42. David Simon from Canada writes: Shouldn't all those G&M reading anti-Americans be happy with fewer Americans here?

    Shouldn't all those G&M reading enviros be happy with less carbon consumption here?
  43. Gary Dare from Portland, Oregon, Canada, writes: R. Carriere writes, 'I believe we have also been nailed by American FOX for our stand on Iraq at the get-go, and influential commentators.' Since 80% of Americans have turned against the Iraq invasion, that doesn't factor into the PRESENT slump. (In Oregon, Republican Senator Gordon Smith has been running re-election ads touting his record in working with Barack Obama in the Senate and one, possibly more to follow, local GOP House candidates have endorsed Obama.) Howling xenophobes like Patrick Buchanan have done US security a disservice because they would rather blame others than address the American homegrown terrorism problem. This is only the latest, and encompasses American radicals who supported the Toronto 17's planned attacks now on trial. http://cbs2chicago.com/national/terror.cells.internet.2.751699.html
  44. jack sprat from Canada writes: Don't forget that Steve eliminated the ability of tourists to get their GST back AND he absolutely whacked the tourism marketing budget. And overtaxed Canadian businesses cannot adjust to the high dollar.

    Tanks and guns apparently were more important.

    Now we have a deficit and no money. Over 10 billion in surpluses to a deficit (the phone spectrum auction will create an illusion of recovery with a one time revenue spike).
  45. Joe Black from Canada writes: Gary Dare from Portland, Oregon, Canada: For the record friend, most Canadians I know have nothing against Americans personally. We disagree with what your government does from time to time, and the way we're portrayed in your media on occassion... but most of us love you guys and have relatives there as well.
  46. David Climenhaga from St. Albert, AB, Canada writes: Canadian tourism businesses might be in better shape if Canadians would fill the gap left by foreign tourists now disinclined for economic reasons to visit here. But for years, while the U.S. dollar was strong and the Canadian dollar worth less, the domestic tourism industry has treated Canadians with contempt. They seemed to think: Why give Canadians even a modest price break when American visitors will pay anything? Well, now we know. I think a lot of Canadians like me will continue to spend our tourism dollars outside the country, where they're glad to see us.
  47. Comments closed, censored, deleted or made to disappear from Mini Bushland, Canada writes: Joe Black: 'Maybe you should check out the media from say Iran or Russia sometime, and how they portray other people from other countries. Hell even Fox News is alot more 'vicious' than anything you'd find up here.' --- That must come from a Refcon: 'It's not me, miss, it's her! -- It's not us, sir, it's them!' (kindergarden, before the age of reason) -- As a matter of fact I am quite familiar with foreign media and am happy to report that even in US media I have come across coverage of China and of the Beijing Olympics that was light years ahead of what Canadian media have been able to achieve so far, with possibly the exception of some outstanding journalists from Radio-Canada. And it is not only the business of the media. Russia, for instance, has welcomed recently, scores of young Chinese who had suffered from the latest earthquake in China's Eastern provinces. Those children are now being helped to recover in Russia. Has Canada done anything similar for the Chinese victims? Why not? Like fruits and vegetables, friendship needs be cultivated... -- And assuming I read this article correctly, it is not Iran's or Russia's tourism that is suffering... it is Canada's. It is Canada's economy that is going straight to... heaven.
  48. Comments closed, censored, deleted or made to disappear from Mini Bushland, Canada writes: David Climenhaga from St. Albert, AB, Canada writes: '... for years, while the U.S. dollar was strong and the Canadian dollar worth less, the domestic tourism industry has treated Canadians with contempt. ... Well, now we know. I think a lot of Canadians like me will continue to spend our tourism dollars outside the country, where they're glad to see us.' -- You are right, David. My wife and I no longer spend half a cent on tourism in Canada. As consumers, we are no longer patriots... Enough contempt, including when our dollar is on par with the US dollar.... and we continue paying so much more than in the US for everything. There is a limit to our assumed stupidity.
  49. Mister Fartleberry from Toronto, Canada writes: How about $33 a night for a patch of mud in our National and Provincial parks. That have anything to do with it?
  50. Gary Dare from Portland, Oregon, Canada, writes: A Reader writes, 'Las Vegas has also experienced a decline in tourists as has many other American cities.' Please see my link to USA Today Travel's article on flight cuts and fare hikes for US domestic travel ... Las Vegas and Orlando will be among the worst hit, since most people fly there on discount tickets, packages or points.

    Never mind, here it is ...

    http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2008-06-03-airlines-cuts-flights-fares_N.htm
  51. I don't think... therefore I vote conservative! (common sense is back) from Canada writes: .

    but but but.... I thought Harper was supposed to save us all from the previous government and their perceived 'hatred' of Americans which was the 'sole' reason why Americans were not coming to Canada as much anymore...

    You mean at the end of the day it has more to do with record gas prices, record low value of the US dollar, the perception that you now require passports to cross the border than it does with Liberal policies??

    Oh my...

    Just when we didn't need another reason to assume Harper has been utterly useless... this seems to be a daily occurrance now...
  52. T Y from Canada writes: Tourism to Canada from the U.S. has been down post Sept. 11, 2001.

    Long border lineups as well as passport and other ID requirements kept Americans away long before a high currency exchange rate and high gas prices.
  53. Shawn Petriw from Prince George, Canada writes: Perfect Storm? Hardly.

    If this 'perfect storm' of 'high gas prices, high dollar, American passport regulations and a slowing economy' results in a measly 6% decrease in visitors (Vancouver), wouldn't it be more accurate to call the situation 'a rainy day?'
  54. Joe Black from Canada writes: Comments closed, censored, deleted or made to disappear from Mini Bushland, Canada:

    Wow, I seem to have touched a bit of a nerve. :)

    In this country we are free to criticize our government (or yours for that matter) whenever we feel like it, openly, and in public.

    I have nothing against the Chinese as a people. However I do not like or support totalitarian governments be they Chinese, European, African, whatever.

    I know China has made progress but their are still a great many abuses of human rights and individual freedoms going on there. I like how you imply I'm a Kindergartner when you go around with infantile names like 'MiniBushland' in your moniker. Now thats not an immature anti-Canadian insult, is it?

    And before you start the partisan name calling (Refcon) is actually a new one to me, I'm happy to inform you that I am a Centre-Left Independent.
  55. Winston Smith from Canada writes: David Climenhaga from St. Albert, AB writes: while the U.S. dollar was strong and the Canadian dollar worth less, the domestic tourism industry has treated Canadians with contempt... I think a lot of Canadians like me will continue to spend our tourism dollars outside the country, where they're glad to see us.

    I agree 100%. It's all about value for money. IMO Canada has not been attractive for years.
  56. Gardiner Westbound from Canada writes:
    It's not only U.S. visitors skipping Toronto. Too dirty, too many beggars and too dangerous after dark.
  57. Gary Dare from Portland, Oregon, Canada, writes: Jack Sprat writes, 'Over 10 billion in surpluses to a deficit (the phone spectrum auction will create an illusion of recovery with a one time revenue spike).' The Harper governments looks to imitate many US state governments who have been bridging their budgets with 'one time' revenue sources ... and that was during a so-called recovery (so late 2006, early 2007 was finally convincing ... just in time for things to tip backward).

    While US states still have some highways and freeways to privatize (lease out) as well as airports (surprise, only a handful in the US aren't public!), beware that tourist taxes for rental cars and hotels will also be going up when you plan your next trip south. Ironic for a country that was founded in rebellion against taxation without representation ...
  58. L.B. MURRAY from !! from Canada writes: R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes: While a few have mentioned CBC..I believe we have also been nailed by American FOX for our stand on Iraq at the get-go, and influential commentators. ________________________________ Afternoon, R. Carriere. You are absolutely right about American FOX... When Canada refused to join the ''coalition of the ... '' , FOX news and hundreds of commentators were foaming at the mouth, calling Canada every name from Canuckistan to Traitor to ...... But the 2008 tourism problem is deeper.... much deeper.... In early June, I was staying at the hotel next to the humongous, highly-toted shopping Malls in a Washington, DC suburb (McLean, Virginia, close to the Arlington Cimetary) and I couldn't believe the difference from two years ago.... Even in those wealthy suburbs, people were far and few spending dollars at the Galleria.... it seemed that only our group of Canadians was spending at-par-Canadian-dollars, buying a couple of luxury items... Apparently, there have been massive cutbacks even with people with 30-year service in Washington DC.... not to mention low-paying and high-paying jobs ''outsourced'' to China and India in the past 7 or 8 years... People who wanted to visit Europe should have done it years ago.... check out the Euro... when it came on the market, it was worth about 80-cents US and now, it's going up, up, up, every day... Want to travel?? Start by visiting Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Quebec City, Vancouver, Victoria, and in between, the Muskokas.... stay in Canada and fly while the prices are still very low.... Won't be long for airline tickets to be back to the 1970's range.... not affordable for a lot of people.... no more cheap vacations.... -P.S. I forgot to add.... rental cars.... It seems that rental cars companies are running out of cheap little cars and they're pushing SUV's on their ''free upgrades''....
  59. tim chisholm from Toronto, Canada writes: I'm sure the many US folks that have had their vehicles seized in Ontario, under McGuinty's new draconian racing/stunting law won't be coming back any time soon.

    The 'vehicle seizure' signs posted on our Highways are very welcoming....pfft

    I surf a few motorcycle sites, and I've seen many US folks who've arranged annual cruises in Ontario every year change their plans because of this law, and the huge # of motorcycles profiled and seized.

    I don't blame them.....add the exchange rate, fuel prices and our Police State traffic laws, and I'm sure there's many US states that are just a nice to vacation.
  60. Carl Hansen from Canada writes: Joe Bloggs, there is nothing worse for tourism than seeing addicts huddled together doing drugs on the street. Perhaps drugs should be made illegal.

    Do like my city does, just declare your city the cleanest in canada inspite of the evidence to the contrary.
  61. Peter Wojnar from Hamilton, Canada writes: If the Ontario and Federal governments got together and eliminated the gasoline tax for the summer season that may help bring American tourists back.

    With gas in Toronto at about $1.23 per litre, or $4.66 per US gallon, an elimination of Ontario and Federal gas taxes would bring the price down to about $0.92 per litre or $3.48 per US gallon.

    14.7 cents per litre Ontario tax
    10 cents per litre Federal tax
    5% GST on the entire price
  62. Joe Black from Canada writes: Carl Hansen from Canada writes: 'Joe Bloggs, there is nothing worse for tourism than seeing addicts huddled together doing drugs on the street. Perhaps drugs should be made illegal.'

    Ah Carl, such insight (pardon the pun). Perhaps prostitution should be made illegal and cracked down on too. Those kind of policies have always done a splendid job of eliminating the problem.
  63. diane marie from calgary, Canada writes: My retail business has always benefited from tourism, perhaps accounting for about 12-15% of gross revenues. Tourist-related sales are definitely down (and rents up - yikes!), but the decline began several years ago, notably with American tourists after 9/11. Not surprisingly, many felt that they wanted to stay home. At one point the currency differences were such that a holiday in Canada was a bargain, but the decline in the U.S. dollar has made it more costly for our American friends to travel. The so-called 'wealth effect' is also gone, as Americans face a 15% drop in the value of their homes with perhaps more pain to come.

    The high price of fuel, and therefore airline tickets, is also keeping away those from farther afield. Tourism has always been a competitive game in which tourists (other than the very rich) seek value. Many tourist venues will just have to find a way to compete, perhaps even to seek local visitors which they didn't mind shunning in better times.
  64. J A from Ottawa, Canada writes: Let's face it - there is really not much to see in Canada. Non-US tourists just see this country as an add-on to their trips to the US, and US tourists (who form the vast majority of tourists visiting Canada) just come here to buy cheap goods. To the rest of the world, Canadian and US culture, attractions, landscapes, food, etc. are virtually identical. Why should they take the extra few days to come up here?
  65. Gary Dare from Portland, Oregon, Canada, writes: L. B. Murray writes, 'When Canada refused to join the 'coalition of the ... ' , FOX news and hundreds of commentators were foaming at the mouth, calling Canada every name from Canuckistan to Traitor to ......' France saw travel from the US level off in 2004 and resumed rising in 2005 and after, despite the frenzy of the first 2-3 years of the Iraq War. US travel to Canada was pretty steady and only started to hiccup in the last two years, when US opposition to the Iraq war went from 75% (electing the ineffective Democratic Congress) to 80% now. The effect of US right wing commentators (and that includes ex-Canadians Charles Krauthammer and Mort Zuckerman) has been falling off and now addresses a 20% rump, many of who would be less likely to visit Canada or travel abroad anyways.
  66. bill k from Canada writes: The deep recession is just under way as many people lose their jobs and inflation takes hold. This will be a tough lesson for those who will not only lose their jobs but their homes as well. When you vote CONervative you vote to become poor as the middle class gets slaughtgered for the benefit for the rich CONservatives. Many people already lost their lifesavings thanks to CONservatives touching income trusts. Now soon people will lose their jobs and homes. CONservative times are hard times. Brian Malroney is all one has to say but people haven't learned anything and now Harper will finally teach all of you how to suffer. I can only hope all those who voted CONservative sould only pay the price of stupidity but alas many innocent people will end up homeless and poor. CLOWNservative are fot the rich elite you ignorant red neck imbred fools. Stop reading the propaganda SUN and turn off the propaganda media and learn to think on your own you CLOWNS
  67. S Lucht from British Columbia, Canada writes: I wonder where Canadians are travelling? I'd guess a lot of them are going to the US, because prices are generally lower there anyway for restaurants and shopping and the dollar has remained around par. Hotels might give better deals since the economy is struggling. Maybe a few to the UK, since the economy there is also struggling and exchange rates are favorable.

    But the Canadian dollar has plummeted since November 2007 against the euro, the Swiss franc, the Japanese yen--even the Brazilian real and Argentine peso. Also, with airline fuel surcharge increases, foreign destinations are probably less appealing in general.
  68. Tony . from Waterloo, Canada writes: Mean Machine from Bugtussle, Canada writes: 'now we learn the folly of counting on tourism,this is a resource based nation,jobs from resources should take precedence,tourists are merely a bonus.'

    The entire resource industry in all of Canada makes up 6% of our economy, up to 10% if you could agriculture as a resource. Revenues from these jobs are also very cyclical and while we're currently in a period of high resource prices, history suggests that this is unlikely to last.

    Jobs in the resource industry are important, but they are FAR from the only jobs in this country, our health care industry is just as large of an economic component of this country as ALL resources (agriculture included) combined. If we want to become a resource-only country we're either going to need a LOT fewer people or we'll have to get used to SIGNIFICANTLY lower standards of living.

    Tourism might not be a huge part of Canada's economy, but it's one of the many things that helps keep our standard of living up there among the highest in the world.
  69. A A from Canada writes: Nothing new to see in any of these places.
  70. Peter Wojnar from Hamilton, Canada writes: >>J A from Ottawa, Canada writes: Let's face it - there is really not much to see in Canada. Non-US tourists just see this country as an add-on to their trips to the US, and US tourists (who form the vast majority of tourists visiting Canada) just come here to buy cheap goods. To the rest of the world, Canadian and US culture, attractions, landscapes, food, etc. are virtually identical. Why should they take the extra few days to come up here?

    J A, I agree with you. That's why we need to think out of the box.

    How about a suspension of the gas tax during the summer tourist season? How about a suspension of the GST and PST during the summer tourist season? Not just a suspension for tourists, but for everybody. Americans will visit more and Canadians will travel more in their own country as well.

    But then again, reducing taxes in Canada is like pulling teeth. Wait...I take that back. Pulling teeth is easier.
  71. Alastair james Berry from Nanaimo BC CANADA, Canada writes: The perfect storm's main ingredient is the hassle at the border. People coming into Canada are treated as criminals and terrorists! Give some clown in IMMIGRATION a bit of authority and he begins abusing the travelling public with it. Canada has done itself no favour with the 'Security' and 'Immigration' and certainly the video of the Mounties killing the Polish guy in Vancouver Airport, shown all round the world, gave a Canada a (WELL DESERVED?) black eye. It will take several years to wipe that spot off Canada's escutcheon and in the meantime millions of Canadian $ 1's have been spent (and wasted) on Advertising Canada as a Tourist Destination. Other deterrants are.................................... (1) Canada's too close political liason with the USA. And this year, the USA is about the least respected country in the world, (after Zimbabwe or Sudan), lead by BUSH who is anathema to any liberally minded world citizen.(and even an embarassment to the Alma Mater of Yale...or so it is reported) (2) Canada's development of a sort of NANNY SOCIETY mentality where anything exciting or vaguely 'Adult' in nature is proscribed! No 'all inclusive' holidays.......No (or few) nude beaches......So Brits Swedes Germans go to the south of France, the Canary Isles or Madeira or the more risque resorts of Bali or Thailand. (We wouldn't like anything of that nature here on Vancouver Island) is the attitude expressed! (3) An attitude that tourists are a bunch of fat dumb pigeons who are to be fleeced everytime they turn around! This town is always devizing more and more ingenious ways for parting a visiting tourist from his money!........This is reflected in our local newspapers always focussing on the necessity of retailers, hotelliers etc to keep the tourist $'s coming .
  72. Carl Hansen from Canada writes: Joe Black, I think Gary Dare is one of us or married to a Canadian. He's just living the good life in the USA. And I am envious of his travel points to say the least.
  73. Gary Dare from Portland, Oregon, Canada, writes: J A writes, 'Non-US tourists just see this country as an add-on to their trips to the US, and US tourists (who form the vast majority of tourists visiting Canada) just come here to buy cheap goods.' Or they did, once. I am perplexed that Canada hasn't worked harder to attract conferences and exhibitions. The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) has threatened to leave a couple of times, citing the difficulty of Chinese executives to get visas to meet with their customers (Haier, Huawei, etc.) and resulting in domestic buyers from major chains canceling out (e.g., Sears execs looking at their options for who will make 'Kenmore' appliances). The flight cuts to Las Vegas will make life even worse for CES. Vancouver and Calgary, at least, should be ringing the phones at CES to turn their bluff into reality, maybe if only for one year!

    ISCAS went international before 9/11 but since, I see no plans by their committee to hold another one in the US in the next five years.
  74. M M from SK, Canada writes: Amazing how Harper can be blamed for everything and anything! At the heart of tourism are cities and provinces - how they market what they have and then once tourists get there, how they are treated. Towns, cities, provinces are the first line for getting and keeping tourists. If a city is dirty then the city council needs to pay attention to solving that - it is not a federal responsibility. The feds have some responsibility for border issues (and the long lines) and for airports (many of which are a complete mess, but some of that is also the fault of airlines). But we also much recognize that no one has control over the world economies - relying on tourists from other countries is always tricky. What would be nice is if Canadians would look to travel within Canada, but since I really can't get out of Regina on an airline except to leave at 6 a.m. or 10 p.m. I don't think I will be traveling far this year.
  75. Carl Hansen from Canada writes: I have nothing against prostitution. It's the smokers that bother me.

    The GST pays for the streets that the tourists drive on. Why should they get a free ride? Harper did the right thing.
  76. L.B. MURRAY from !! from Canada writes: Gary Dare writes : ....''The effect of US right wing commentators (and that includes ex-Canadians Charles Krauthammer and Mort Zuckerman) has been falling off and now addresses a 20% rump, many of who would be less likely to visit Canada or travel abroad anyways. ..''
    ____________________________________

    Bottom line is that intelligent people are fully aware that no matter what PrezzBush proclaims, such as he did last week, intelligent people with just a modicum of common sense realize that we are very, very close to a worldwide recession following the ''mortgage crisis'' and the ''trillions of dollars borrowed for war in Iraq, Afghanistan, etc...''....

    Travel is not a ''necessity'' of life and people who have trouble buying gas to get to work will certainly put an ''x'' on travel...

    Saving the tourist industry will probably mean trying to lure ''local'' tourists to ''local'' attractions...

    -
  77. J. Bergin from Canada writes: Is there anybody out there? from Canary Islands, Canada writes: This so much fun. Let's all vote Conservative again.

    We finally have a strong dollar and you belittle this government. So what are you saying, vote Liberal so we can have a 65 cent dollar again? Give your head a shake.
  78. Gary Dare from Portland, Oregon, Canada, writes: Peter Wojnar writes, 'If the Ontario and Federal governments got together and eliminated the gasoline tax for the summer season that may help bring American tourists back.' This brings Canadian prices down by a buck a gallon to US 'undertaxed' levels but even that has stanched US domestic car travel and cramped their commutes. Meanwhile, many state and local governments are starting to raise their gas taxes.
  79. Let me tell You How It Is from United States writes: How about trying to be nice to Americans and enforce your own freakin criminal laws once in a while.
    For example that Canadian Ressam the Millenium bomber... don't protect clowns and losers like that who want to harm us nice people who believe in a tolerant liberal society.
    Or that other loser/clown Canadian Omar Khadr who was brought up and instructed by his nice Canadian Mom and Canadian Dad how to do those nice Canadian past times of wiring up 50KG plastic explosives and other nice Canadian values such as beheading infidels and learning how to butcher artists, gays, women, intellectuals, and people who don't believe what he does. Has that nice Canadian Omar been honored with the Order of Canada yet??
  80. Gary Dare from Portland, Oregon, Canada, writes: L. B. Murray writes, 'Saving the tourist industry will probably mean trying to lure ''local'' tourists to ''local'' attractions...' That's a good point, the Oregon Coast is seeing a drop-off in visitors (a high percentage are from around the region) but local events in Portland are seeing a 'staycation' boost. Brewfest is expecting an attendance record and a lot of it is local, the MAX (commuter train a la GO) and Portland Streetcar has been packed this weekend.
  81. Gary Dare from Portland, Oregon, Canada, writes: By the way, have the two Americans from Atlanta, Georgia helping the Toronto 17 even been arrested by US authorities???

    http://cbs2chicago.com/national/terror.cells.internet.2.751699.html
  82. Jeff Hemlin from writes: Just returned from Shanghai, where all my Chinese clients told me they were going to vacation in the US, Australia or Europe this year, as they are 'open.' I asked what this meant - easy Visa applications was the answer. They all said they merely had to show their bank accounts and tickets to the US to get a visa there.

    They all said they wouldn't mind coming to visit Canada, but... the Visa process was exceeding long and complicated, and it appeared that refusals were the main result. Very funny behavior for a country screaming for tourists with money - and these folks have a lot of money - just ask the businesses in LA or Vegas or Sydney or Galleries Lafayette in Paris!
  83. Gary Dare from Portland, Oregon, Canada, writes: By the way, for those of you who visit central and eastern Oregon, it's cowboy country and some of it resembles ... Afghanistan! So much that some US homegrown jihadists were planning to set up a training camp in Bly. (:

    http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/07/22/london.oregon/index.html
  84. Clive Gingell from Canada writes: J A from Ottawa, Canada writes: Let's face it - there is really not much to see in Canada.
    ......................

    A major factor to be sure, flat and boring in southern Ontario and Canadian Shield landscape over the rest of the province.

    I've been to 40 of the 50 US states, and most of them, (forget Ohio and the like), have spectacular scenery.

    Why would Americans come here and pay a premium for the chance of being insulted?
  85. Voice of Reason from Ottawa, Canada writes: I think the anti-American retric coming out of Toronto is no big help.
  86. Tim Cares from Canada writes: Probably has something to do with $5 beers and the like. I think most people feel they are being overcharged, now that the exchange rate is pretty much even.
  87. Peter Wojnar from Hamilton, Canada writes: >>Gary Dare from Portland, Oregon, Canada, writes: Peter Wojnar writes, 'If the Ontario and Federal governments got together and eliminated the gasoline tax for the summer season that may help bring American tourists back.' This brings Canadian prices down by a buck a gallon to US 'undertaxed' levels but even that has stanched US domestic car travel and cramped their commutes. Meanwhile, many state and local governments are starting to raise their gas taxes.

    Hi Gary. I am not aware of any US states or local governments either raising or wanting to raise gasoline taxes. As a matter of fact, Florida suspended their 6 cent per gallon gasoline tax a couple years ago for a period of about 2 months when gas went over $2 per gallon.

    And the term 'undertaxed', I'm Canadian, so that term is sort of unknown to me. :)