CANADIAN IMMIGRATION NEWS

Summer looking hot for tourism

Tuesday, 8 May 2007

Summer looking hot for tourism

Summer looking hot for tourism UPDATED: 2007-05-08 02:28:06 MST By PABLO FERNANDEZ, SUN MEDIA Alberta's tourism industry is driving toward a healthy summer, despite passport confusion in the U.S. and the high cost of gas at home, a Travel Alberta official said yesterday. Record-high gasoline prices expected this year aren't likely to have a significant effect on the province's tourism industry, said Travel Alberta managing director Derek Coke-Kerr, after addressing industry partners and stakeholders in Calgary. "The industry will see growth right across the board," he said. "We don't think the price of gas really deters travellers." Historically, Albertans venturing into their own backyard have made up the largest share of tourism spending in the province, 47%, while other Canadians account for 23%. Those are the travellers affected by high gas prices, but who aren't likely to scrap plans because of fuel costs, said Coke-Kerr. Where there is concern is in regards to the U.S. market, which ranks third, contributing 15% of tourism dollars generated in Alberta, said Coke-Kerr. "The U.S. market has stalled," he said. "Americans have a lot of reasons not to travel, such as passport confusion and the strong Canadian dollar." That has kept U.S. travellers -- who used to see Canada as a place where their dollars went further -- at home, said Coke-Kerr. But there's optimism that despite the strength of the loonie and stringent security measures, Americans will continue to visit Alberta. Although the latest figures don't indicate a trend, the number of Americans crossing the border to Alberta or flying into Calgary has increased 14.4% over the last two months, said Coke-Kerr. "We will grow the U.S. market, if not this year, then definitely the next," he said.