New travel rules for Canada could be a boon for Canadian tourism, a new study says.
The Canadian government on February 15 announced that testing rules for entry into Canada would change today (Feb. 28). Canadians and visitors can now use a negative rapid antigen test result, rather than having to take a PCR or molecular-style test.
KAYAK said travel searches to Canada spiked 57 per cent between February 15 and February 22 for future travel, “indicating eased testing requirements are luring international travellers to the Great White North the first chance they can get.”
Their data shows that top searches for Canada came from Washington D.C. (204 per cent), Munich (43 per cent), San Diego (42 per cent), Amsterdam (41 per cent) and Hamburg (40 per cent). After over two years of travel restrictions, residents in the U.S. and Germany are the most eager to experience Canada.
The top 10 destinations being searched in Canada are:
- Toronto
- Montreal
- Vancouver
- Calgary
- Quebec City
- Edmonton
- Ottawa
- Halifax
- Winnipeg
- Victoria
“The search increases we’re seeing indicates pent up demand for Canadian tourism and illustrate the impact entry restrictions have on inbound travel,” said Matt Clarke, VP of Marketing at KAYAK. “We’ve consistently seen that as travel restrictions ease, travel demand follows and we expect to see this continue through summer.”
STUDY SAYS AMERICANS EAGER TO USE THEIR PASSPORTS
| A new study from Destination Analysts in the U.S. finds that fully 70 per cent of Americans did some trip dreaming and planning in the last week alone, while 61.5 per cent say travel is a high budget priority for them. More one-half (54.2 per cent) said they want to visit a place they’ve never been before.
A solid 29.7 per cent said they’re likely to travel internationally, while 25.1 per cent of Americans said they’re more interested in travelling outside the U.S. than they are in travelling domestically. That also bodes well for Canada and for Canadian tourism operators.
The study said Americans have strong intentions for spring travel, but that June and July and will be peak season.
NEW HAMPSHIRE DEALS FOR CANADIANS
| New Hampshire has some great deals for visiting Canadians.
“We have missed our neighbors to the north and now with the land border re-opened to non-essential travel, we invite you to visit the Granite State once again,” state officials said. “Many New Hampshire inns, resorts, and lodging properties are offering exclusive discounts and packages for Canadians – now all you need to do is book your getaway! |
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| “We have worked with our partners across the state to present our friends to the north, with some amazing deals. Lodging specials, activity deals and even some dining and shopping options. We invite you to benefit from your return to New Hampshire with special discount codes. Visit our “Canada” page now:
https://www.visitnh.gov/welcome-back-canada-specials
New Hampshire offers tax-free shopping on a year-round basis. |
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