CANADA Travel Trade Barometer: Respondents Projecting Increased Bookings through the Second Quarter of 2013
- According to the U.S. Department of Commerce sponsored Canada Travel Trade Barometer, a strong majority of tour operators surveyed (as of February 15 - March 28, 2013) projected higher bookings for the first quarter of 2013. Just over eight out of 10 (82%) respondents projected bookings to be higher.
- At the time of the survey, bookings to the United States from Canada were up four to nine percent year-over-year.
- Higher bookings were also projected for second quarter 2013, on average. The majority of trade (55%) projected higher bookings to the United States from Canada for the second quarter of 2013 compared to the same time last year.
- The top motivator for travel to the United States over the next six months was the exchange rate, followed by the economy in Canada and the level of promotion by U.S. destinations and businesses.
- Challenges
for increasing bookings focused on the cost of airfare, the level of
promotion by other destinations and natural disasters.
- According to the U.S. Department of Commerce sponsored Mexico Travel Trade Barometer, Mexican tour operators (83%) reported (as of February 18 - March 29, 2013) that first quarter 2013 bookings were projected to be higher. At the time of the survey, bookings were reported to be up four to nine percent, on average, year over year.
- Mirroring the trade's projection for the first quarter, just over eight out of ten (83%) of the trade projected bookings to be higher in the second quarter 2013. Bookings at the time of the survey were up four to nine percent, on average, compared to second quarter 2012 bookings.
- Over the next six months, the exchange rate to the U.S. dollar was listed as the top motivator for travel to the United States.
- In
this survey session, the cost of airfare ranked as the top deterrent
for travel to the United States. Promotion by other long-haul
destinations ranked second, followed by entry and exit requirements,
visa processing time and the global economy.
Travel Market Insights (www.travelmi.com) conducts the Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Japan, Germany and People's Republic of China Travel Trade Barometer programs. The U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Travel and Tourism Industries, is a sponsor and was the initial developer of the barometer program. The Barometer program is conducted with support from the U.S. Commercial Service and various Visit USA Committees and additional sponsors.
