Travel Markets Outlook: National Focus: Spring 2005

This report offers an in-depth analysis and forecast for the tourism industry in Canada and the provinces, with a special focus on five key international travel markets.

Document Highlights

• Solid pent-up travel demand, unwavering consumer confidence and respectable wage gains continue to stimulate Canadian demand for travel. However, the ongoing strength of the Canadian dollar is softening the demand for domestic travel.
• Canada’s tourism industry is building on the solid turnaround it made last year, mainly due to the continued strength of international travel to Canada.
• Several provincial budgets for 2005 include substantially increased funding for tourism departments and marketing.
• Growth in overnight visits in Alberta is expected to be among the strongest in Canada, thanks to the strength of the provincial economy, robust growth in business travel and the province’s centennial celebrations.
• Business travel in Canada is also expected to improve this year, as solid profits are expected to translate into growing travel budgets and increased business travel.