Tour operators and travel boards promoting the 'staycation' this summer

[Bulldog]

By Ciara Byrne, THE CANADIAN PRESS


TORONTO - Canadians may be trying on Stetsons instead of swimsuits during this sluggish summer travel season and opting to visit the Calgary Stampede or other attractions closer to home rather than flying to beaches abroad, tourism experts predict.

The tourism industry is setting its sights on budget-cautious Canadians by focusing campaigns on local tourism and promoting the so-called "staycation."

"It's very much speaking to the whole concept of staying at home and discovering a part of Canada that you don't know about and discovering something within Canada that you didn't know existed," said Michele McKenzie, president and CEO of the Canadian Tourism Commission.

The Crown corporation recently launched a campaign showcasing the country's "vibrant cities" and "tropic-like waters," asking locals to share their secret summer getaways.

The Canadian tourism industry has been hit hard by the global economic crisis, with tour operators reporting their travel business down 15 per cent this year.


Adding to their stress, operators are having to deal with new passport rules for crossing the U.S.-Canadian border, and recent news suggesting that air traffic will be significantly lower in the months ahead, with the world's airlines projecting a collective loss of US $9 billion this year.

Those factors are forcing tourism boards nationwide to think local.

more: http://travel.canoe.ca/Travel/News/2009/06/08/9724281-cp.html

[flopnfly]

I would love to travel around my home country. 

I just wish it was more affordable.

[Gambitt]

Round Trip to Cuba, and a week's All inclusive, is still cheaper than the airfare to Calgary!