Tourism spending rose by 6.1 per cent last year to $70.8 billion, with Canadian residents accounting for 77.1 per cent of that amount or $54.6 billion. The gain helped fuel a 5.9-per-cent increase in tourism gross domestic product (GDP), to $28.6 billion, or two per cent of Canada's total GDP.
However, foreign visitors made fewer overnight trips to Canada than in 2006, mainly because of a decline in visits from the United States. Total overnight trips to Canada fell by 1.8 per cent in 2007 to 17.9 million, as incoming U.S. travel declined by 3.5 per cent to 13.4 million trips. U.S. spending also dropped by 2.9 per cent to $7.1 billion.
The decline was offset slightly by a healthy 3.4-per-cent increase in overnight trips into Canada taken by overseas residents, to 4.6 million.
The report also showed that more male visitors and travellers in the 35-to-44-year age group decided to visit the Great White North in 2007, while the Yukon saw the biggest jump in popularity among the provinces and territories.
For the full report, go to http://origin.www.corporate.canada.travel/docs/research_and_statistics/stats_and_figures/snapshot_YearInReview_2007_eng.pdf.
