The staycation is on in Canada, with many residents opting to spend their time and money exploring the country instead of heading south of the border. Following US President Donald Trump’s recent comments about Canada, including repeated threats to annex the country, a growing number of Canadians have cancelled or postponed trips to the United States.
In response to these changes, provinces and territories are capitalizing on the momentum by launching new domestic tourism campaigns. Nova Scotia is preparing a new ad campaign, while Saskatchewan and Manitoba are receiving targeted marketing efforts. Tourism boards across the country are reporting increased interest from Canadian tourists, with some operators already experiencing high summer bookings.
A “Buy Canadian” movement has emerged, driven in part by Trump’s rhetoric about Canada becoming the 51st state. Many Canadians, such as Michelle Gardner of British Columbia, are choosing to invest their hard-earned money into domestic travel instead. “With everything going on in the United States at the moment, it doesn’t sit well with me to be putting our hard-earned money into their economy,” she said.
The trend is not limited to individual trips; data shows a 23% decline in return trips among Canadians traveling to the US by car in February. As a result, provinces are boosting ads for domestic tourists and highlighting niche attractions that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Canadian residents like Brian Gallaugher of Alberta are taking advantage of the situation, choosing to spend their money on domestic experiences instead of US trips. “We just find it so offensive that Trump continues to talk about [Canada becoming] the 51st state,” he said.
The shift in tourism patterns is likely to have a positive impact on Canada’s economy, with the country’s tourism industry poised for a busy season. As Canadian travelers discover more of their own backyards, they may uncover hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path attractions that could become new favorites.
Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/canadian-travel-provinces-1.7481824