Strong loonie sparks travel

U.S. tourist markets wooing Canucks

By PABLO FERNANDEZ -- Calgary Sun

The strong loonie is rekindling Canada's legendary travelling spirit, and Canadians are flocking south to take advantage of the booming buck. With Canada's dollar hitting decade-high levels, U.S. tourist markets are wasting no time wooing Canadian travellers with promises of cheaper vacations, and the entire industry has one message for Canadians -- come on down.

"We love Canadian travellers," said Elaine Cali, spokeswoman for the Anaheim/Orange County Visitor and Convention Bureau in southern California, an area that includes Disneyland.

"They've always been coming down here and now they have a lot more reason to stay even longer and have a better time."

Even the entertainment capital of the world is looking forward to reaping the rewards from the heftier loonie.

"Canadians are one of our top markets ... they are very important to us and 42 per cent of our international visitors," said Las Vegas spokeswoman Marina Nicola.

"And now it's obvious that we have a symbiotic relationship with Canada."

Nicola said shows such as Cirque du Soleil and Celine Dion, which sell out most nights, are drawing more visitors and international acclaim.

Nicola hopes the high-flying loonie will draw more visitors.

That message is being echoed closer to home just south of the Alberta border.

"It's been so hard for our friends across the border because of the exchange on the dollar," said Spokane Area Convention and Visitors Bureau spokeswoman Nancy Goodspeed.

"But now we'd like to remind everyone that Spokane isn't that far away and that we'd love to see you come down."

Goodspeed said the renewed strength of the loonie has already been felt by hotel operators and retailers in that city.

"We have specials that cater specifically to Canadians and we'll continue to develop the Canadian market," she said.

Atlas Travel's Karim Lalani confirmed what U.S. authorities have already noticed: Calgarians are succumbing to the travel calls from south of the border.

"There definitely is a benefit to travelling to the U.S. (at this time) and the obvious reason is that the Canadian dollar goes farther than before," said Lalani.

With the dollar rising almost 20% since the beginning of the year, Calgarians are taking notice of their new travel power.