Canadian tourism industry gets proactive as US visitors drop
Share and Follow

Canada’s tourism industry is going on an offensive — rolling out ad campaigns in US border states to lure Americans back to the Great White North.

US travel to Canada dipped by about 10% in recent months, amid the raging trade war between the two neighbors.


A man and woman embracing.
An American tourist looks confused as he receives a warm hug from a Canadian hotel employee in a new TV ad. YouTube/Tourisme Cantons-de-l’Est

A TV commercial currently airing in New England and New York shows an American tourist in a baseball cap and sweater tied around his shoulders, quietly telling a Canadian hotel employee that he comes from the United States.

The employee looks awkwardly towards him and presses what looks like some kind of red panic button – before bursting out a smile and walking across the desk to hug him.

Other ads take more of a practical approach, trying instead to appeal to American’s pocketbooks.

One billboard campaign simply reminds Americans how much further their dollar will go north of the 49th parallel.

“$1 USD = $1.43 CAD,” reads the billboard from Destination Ontario, which has been spotted in Detroit and Cleveland, among other border towns. “Spend less, do more.”


"$1 USD = $1.43 CAD," reads the billboard from Destination Ontario, which has been spotted in Detroit and Cleveland, among other border towns. "Spend less, do more."
Americans make up more than three-quarters of tourists to Canada. Destination Ontario

American tourists make up the bulk of visitors to Canada – last summer, 78.5%, nearly four out of five visitors to the Great White North came from the US.

The drop hasn’t been as dramatic as Canadian tourists to the US – who’ve boycotted the country en masse, leading to a 30-40% fall in air and land travel.

But it’s sure to make a dent in the tourism industry – according to Statistics Canada, Americans spent $15.3 billion in the country last year.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Multiple agencies responding after LifeFlight helicopter crashes in Tennessee; casualties unknown

Emergency Response Underway Following LifeFlight Helicopter Crash in Tennessee; Casualty Details Awaited

A LifeFlight helicopter crash near Tennessee’s Cumberland River has prompted a swift…
Staten Island woman run over by 19-year-old after heated dispute: cops

19-Year-Old Faces Allegations of Running Over Staten Island Woman Following Intense Dispute: Police Report

Authorities report that a 19-year-old woman allegedly drove her vehicle into a…
Illegal immigrants allegedly offered WhatsApp 'menu' of women for sex trafficking ring

Shocking Discovery: WhatsApp Used to Traffic Women in Disturbing Sex Trafficking Scheme

Three individuals believed to be in the United States illegally have been…
Habba: DOJ moved ‘swiftly and decisively’ to stop ISIS-linked Halloween terror plot targeting Jews

DOJ’s Quick Action Thwarts Halloween Terror Threat Linked to ISIS, Jewish Community Targeted

Federal authorities have dismantled an ISIS-affiliated network spanning from Michigan to New…
Dark side of Danielle Bernstein: Outrageous new allegations

Unmasking Danielle Bernstein: Shocking Allegations That Reveal Fashion’s Dark Side

The engagement celebration was nothing short of a fairy tale for a…
Kim Kardashian FINALLY reveals if she passed the bar exam

Kim Kardashian Triumphs: Reality Star Passes Bar Exam, Paving Way for Legal Career

Kim Kardashian has finally put an end to the anticipation surrounding her…
Four dead, at least 13 injured after speeding car crashes into crowd outside Florida bar

Tragic Florida Bar Crash: Speeding Car Leaves 4 Dead, 13 Injured

A 22-year-old man, attempting to evade police, allegedly crashed into a busy…
SNAP benefits don't cover healthier diet costs: Study

Study Reveals SNAP Benefits Fall Short in Covering Costs of Healthier Diets

As the government shutdown persists, 42 million low-income individuals relying on SNAP…