Local tourism could be taking a hit this year. It is estimated that Canada is losing 17 million United States visitors in last few years according to a CTV news report. Tourism in Canada could be in for some future changes. Same day trips are dropping as well. It is going to be interesting to see what happens in New Brunswick this year, with the cruise ships, and the many tourists we receive each year. The reasons for this are the faltering economy in U.S., the high Canadian dollar, and high gas prices. The US is falling into a recession at the moment, so it is quite possible we will see a decline in visitors and revenue this year.
Tourism in New Brunswick is big business. For example in Saint John, since 1989, over one million cruise ship guests visited the city. Based on an Economic Impact Study conducted in 1999, approximately $85 Canadian was spent by each passenger at a port of call. Over the past nineteen years it is estimated that cruise passengers contributed over $117 million into the regional economy according to the report. Add to that, tourists that drive to the province to visit campgrounds and other attractions, it would be huge blow to New Brunswick’s economy if Americans stopped coming north of the border.