Canada attracts more skiers
The number of British people taking winter sports holidays in Canada has doubled since 1990. Statistics released by the Canadian Tourism Commission to coincide with the start of two-day trade show Spotlight Canada in London next week show that more people are visiting Canada in the winter and many are getting younger. People on ski and snowboard holidays represented 10% of the total market in 2002, doubling from 5.1% in 1990, according to the CTC. Although Canada has suffered an overall decline in UK arrivals since hitting a peak of 862,000 in 2000, the proportion travelling in the winter has increased. The final quarter of 2002 accounted for 17.5% of the total number of visitors, against just 9.1% in the equivalent period in 1990. The figures emerged as budget transatlantic carrier Zoom Airlines issued its winter 2004-05 timetable targeting skiers with flights starting at £89 one-way to eastern Canada and £129 to western Canada. The airline will fly twice a week from Gatwick to Vancouver, giving access to the ski resort of Whistler, as well as serving Montreal for the Tremblant ski area. Zoom’s schedule also includes Gatwick-Toronto and Glasgow to Toronto and Vancouver. The CTC figures also show a rise in the 25-34 and over-55 age groups visiting Canada, with more couples and single travellers, while there has been a decline in families The Commission said there had been a “huge shift” in the purpose of trip since 1990 when the prime reason was to visit friends and family. The main reason in 2002 was for pleasure. Ontario is the most popular Canadian destination with a 34.9% share in 2002, although British Columbia and Alberta have increased their shares to 25.1% and 18.3 respectively. Quebec has suffered a decline to 11.4% of the market from 12.3% in 1990. Three quarters of visitors arrive direct from the UK, stay an average of 13 days in Canada and spend £550. The tenth annual Spotlight Canada event is held on March 9-10. Report by Phil Davies
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