Global Economic Decline Bottomed Out in October

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VANCOUVER — Although the global recession has not disappeared from travel’s rear-view mirror there are signs the worst may be over, according to findings from Tourism Snapshot for October 2009, recently published by the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC). It’s welcome news for many restaurateurs who rely on the tourist’s dollar.

The report examines travel trends and statistics up to Oct. 31, 2009 in CTC’s — and its partners’ — key markets around the world.

Here’s some of the findings:

– It was a quieter time at passport control. October 2009 saw 1.1 million international travellers making overnight trips to Canada, a seven per cent decline year-on-year. However, there were causes for optimism: Germany (16 per cent), China (five per cent) and India (three per cent) had boosts in traveller numbers. Overall, there were 14.1 million international journeys in the first 10 months of the year, an eight per cent dip year-over-year. Visitors from outside the U.S. represented the biggest decrease, with a 13 per cent decline.

– Yukon had a significant increase in the number of U.S. visitors, up 12 per cent on October 2008. This was in contrast to the drops in Prince Edward Island (40 per cent), Newfoundland and Labrador (36 per cent) and Alberta (13 per cent). Mexico is still feeling the pain; October witnessed a 64 per cent drop in travellers to these shores. In the first 10 months of 2009, 158,000 Mexicans made trips to Canada, down 34 per cent year-over-year.

– There were indications of improvement in CTC’s key markets. Although visitor numbers were down (six per cent), it was a much better showing than September, which was down 15 per cent.

– Many Canadians kept their luggage under lock and key in October as 1.9 million travellers hit the road, a one per cent dip from 2008.

For the complete report, click here.

 

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