Canada #1 For Americans

[Mobbme]

For Troung the thong on Obie Trice's butt

Visa survey shows Canada number one foreign destination for Americans

NEW YORK - The weak U.S. dollar has not dissuaded Americans from planning trips abroad this year, but they may be heading to destinations closer to home, according to a survey released Thursday by Visa Inc.

Two in three respondents said they are as willing or more willing to travel abroad than they were a year ago, and half said they are likely to travel abroad in the next year. Of that half, two-thirds said they are considering destinations closer to the U.S. than they had in years past.

In mid-May, Visa surveyed 1,000 credit or debit card holders who live in the United States and have travelled outside the U.S. in the past three years. The phone survey, which was not limited to Visa holders, had a margin of error of plus-or-minus three percentage points.

Canada was the most popular international destination among respondents, followed closely by Mexico. Great Britain, Italy, France, the Bahamas and the U.S. Virgin Islands rounded out the top destinations.

The rankings are similar to last year when, based on tourist spending on U.S.-issued Visa cards instead of a survey, Visa found that Canada was the top destination with $2.9 billion in spending, followed by Mexico, where cardholders spent $1.7 billion.

"While travel close to home remains strong, what's interesting are travel destinations like Western Europe and the Caribbean are still popular," said Visa spokesman Paul Wilke.

In the first quarter of 2008, U.S. Visa cardholders spent $3.4 billion visiting the top 25 tourist destinations abroad, compared with more than $15 billion in all of 2007. Mexico was the top first-quarter destination, followed by Canada, Great Britain, Puerto Rico and Germany.

Among the 50 per cent who said they plan to travel abroad within a year, Visa said, one in five are planning a high-cost trip.

Among the other 50 per cent, who said they are not planning international travel, most cited high costs and the uncertain state of the U.S. economy. Nearly half plan to travel in the U.S. this year instead. Only 14 per cent said terrorism was a reason for staying in the U.S.

"If you had looked at this study three or four years ago, I think terrorism would have been higher and the cost of travel would have been lower (on the scale)," Wilke said.

Although most said they are booking through online travel agencies, as well as hotel and airline Web sites, Wilke noted that nearly 45 per cent said they plan to use a traditional agent to book their trip.

I wonder if Hockey -thats right its capitalized and bold- is also as great to americans as it is to canadians

Americans are always welcome in our homes. Sadly for Troung, he fears a real mans game, which is the game of hockey, so he stays clear n steer away from canuck land.

[Exarecr]

American tourists used to account for about half of this picturesque little towns summer revenues until the utterly stupid and over the board security measures took over as a result of the terrorist attacks. However, It was sympathy for our American comrades that brought back my eventual "tolerance",which grew into friendliness again after quite a few years of seething anger over an ugly incident between a drunk American soldier from Fort Drum who walked up behind my wife as she was sitting in her car, tapped her on the shoulder and sucker punched her in the face. We finally caught the son of a ***** a couple of hours later and it was a good thing the authorities got to him... in the nick of time. Of course we were assured justice would prevail,and once he was released to the American Military Police we were told the American authorities would get in touch and let us know what his punishment would be...............................................a nd still we wait,10 years later. He's probably a General now. This little incident had Kingston in an uproar and to this day American soldiers are still not allowed in many area bars. My point. Come on over,party, and spend your money. Time is a good healer. Just leave the great Messiah(Obama)on the other side of the St. Lawrence until he shows us all he really does walk on water.....and remember,our beer is a lot stronger. Next week in Gananoque Steve Earl is the headliner so come on over,we have our tickets($5.00). Can,t beat the price!

[BlackFlag]

The USA is #1 for Canadians too.

Travel by Canadians to foreign countries, top 15 countries visited

The US and Canada are inextricably linked economically, socially and politically.

Sadly, due to Canada's dollar hovering around par with the US dollar, American travel into Canada has decreased, and our tourism industry is suffering.

Personally, I've been traveling much to the New England states of late. I started last year in Vermont and New Hampshire, spent three weeks hiking and camping- which is absolutely stunning for those who haven't been. This year it's going to be Providence-Boston and vicinity and then up to Maine.

[gunnut]

Is Canada really "foreign?"

[Shamus]

Is Canada really "foreign?"

Nahhh....I can't consider someplace that's a 20 minute drive from my house and they speak the same language foreign.Now Ohio on the other hand.....that's foreign.....bunch of strange speaking nuts...uhhh....Buckeyes,that is....