Canadians spent more than ever before on trips overseas and to the US during the first quarter of the year, Statistics Canada said.
The exodus continued a trend with record numbers of Canadians going overseas in 2004, especially to Europe and the Caribbean.
Overseas destinations accounted for more than 29% of Canadians trips abroad last year, up from just under 16% the previous year.
One possible reason: additional new overseas flights.
A possible deterrent to US travel and Canadians choosing Europe instead is intensified security measures, speculated newspaper reports.
Marc-Andre Charlebois, president of the Canadian Association of Travel Agencies, said the heavier security was “quite a disincentive to travel to the States.”
Report by David Wilkening
