CTV offers up some of the findings carried in a Tourism Association of Canada report on the “crisis” in the industry that took “a year and a half to create”;
suggested fixes include:
* reducing costs to the Canadian aviation sector;
* securing approved destination status from China; and,
* enhancing government-owned tourism properties like national parks and museums.
CTV’s online readers’ suggested fixes took considerably less time;
“Maybe the anti-American locals who leave snide notes and key US cars might consider the repercussions of their actions. The Internet is rife with such stories, discouraging other Americans from venturing north – and return visits from these same offended tourists.”
“A WEEKEND in Northern Ontario, Muskoka or Great Wolf Lodge is about the same as a WEEK in in an all-inclusive Caribbean. Where would you go?”
“Out in Tofino for example, a site to pitch a tent is $55 a night, if you buy their wood and want a modest 4-5 hour camp fire, add another $35. Park fee’s a day, $10. Ferry to get over there, $70.”
“I would love to stay in Canada and travel but when I can spend $45 on a hotel in the US compared to $120 here in Canada the math is simple. Plus I can fill up for about $20 less. Why would anyone in the US right now want to come up to Canada, with their economy the way it is to pay extra for hotels and gas, you don’t need 2 years to figure this out.”
“All the American bashing is finally having an impact. Chickens are coming home to roost. If you continue to pass moral judgement on your biggest trading partner… Mayor Miller should be the poster child for the tourism colapse.”
Yup. It’s why I do so much of my dog showing in the US right now. Not only is the competition keener, but it’s cheaper than showing in Canada – a fact that’s driven home the first time you’re charged 25 cents for filling your travel mug with coffee.
What’s that old Catskill’s joke?
“The food here is terrible!”
“Yeah… and such small portions…”
Fascinating how we Canadians just don’t get it.
You can only go so far with bashing your biggest trading partner, sneering at their ideals, beliefs and behaviour – and then, arrogantly expecting them to come and spend money up here.
The thing is, we don’t have anything to offer the tourist in Canada; the US has beaches and parks and big cities. The US has a clear sense of its own identity. Canada has none because it squanders it within multiculturalism. So – what do we offer to a tourist? Why come? Is Niagara Falls that impressive?
Higher costs, smug self-assigned superiority – and – anger when they don’t do as we want – which is to come and spend their money here. Or set up factories here for us to work in; or set up franchises for us to work in; or come up with TV show ideas for us to copy (Canadian Idol, Canadian 5th grader).
Speaking as a small business owner, I’d like to point out that Canadian businesses have to pay much higher taxes than their U.S. counterparts. Our operating costs are also higher because a lot of the products we buy also incorporate higher taxes as part of their price. This is the fault of Canadian governments at all levels and the Canadians who selfishly demand that “the government” pay for everything.
I do what I can to keep my price competitive, but the whole point of being in business is to earn a living. If I can’t — might as well close the doors.
My business is not aimed at tourists, BTW, but I get the odd American in my shop needing a computer bit or help with their laptop. I do my best to give them a warm welcome and thank them for visiting Canada.
“…Tourism Association of Canada report on the “crisis” in the industry…”
I refer to my comment on the previous thread. You start adding up the cost of land, taxes, employees, taxes, compliance with regulation and taxes, insurance, taxes, pretty soon you see why it costs three grand for five nights at Cleveland’s House on Lake Rosseau in Ontscario. Junky cottages are going for $300k and up, do some math and figure out how much profit you have to have from a bed-and-breakfast just to cover the mortgage.
Its cheaper to FLY to Arizona and stay for a week than it is to drive to Muskoka and do the same thing. The days of driving up to the family cottage for the weekend are pretty much past for most regular wage earners.
Tax cut. Now please. Biiiig one.
FUNDY National Park in NB went through a complete transformation after 9/11.
They had all sorts of Americans staying away. I have always thought it was caused by a Liberal Prime Minister who publicly blamed America for what happened before the dead were even cold.
The government had people like Carolyn Parrish and supporters who couldn’t say enough negative and bizzare things on a regular basis.
These boneheads are completely incapable of joining the dots. Go figure. These are the people that have run our country for far too long. Let’s wake up.
When I read this CTV piece yesterday, I saw Carrolyn Parrish between every line.
Compared to Americans, I find Canadians in general to be anal, unfriendly and condescending.
Parrish is a prime example along with the staff at the CBC.
Whenever I travel to the US I always make it a point not to reveal myself as a Canadian, if at all possible.
SUSAN SARANDON, who appeared in three films last year and won kudos for her TV movie “Bernard and Doris,” is still not a contented soul. She says if John McCain gets elected, she will move to Italy or Canada. She adds, “It’s a critical time, but I have faith in the American people.”
http://community.livejournal.com/ohnotheydidnt/24009465.html
She’ll blend nice with those smug folks in Torana.
funny thing Ron, I had the same vision.
Carrolyn Parrish and the rest of the sneering libs standing beside her.
Ontario leads the pack in US bashing. why anyone would want to go to Trona or the kitch of Niagara Falls in beyond me anyway. been there done that tossed the t-shirts.
“A year and a half in the making” – what happened then?
Gas to Vegas and back from Red Deer- $560 (inc. a trip out to the Skywalk at Grand Canyon West, and driving arond Vegas for a week.) 7 nights hotels- $340 (5 at the Stratosphere). My wife spent $500 on clothes that would have set us back $1200-1500 up her. The math is easy to do. Vacationing in Canada can be pricey. Plus, in the American West, you can travel all day on the interstates at 85 mph+. It would take at least 4 hours longer to cover the 930 miles we knocked down in one day on our roads as compared to 13 hours down there.
On the other hand, there is the occasional opportunity to run down lefty moonbats and their offspring
“At least 200 cyclists, some with kids in tow, swarmed the busy Gardiner Expressway last night in a reckless 7-km protest that brought traffic to an abrupt halt for 15 minutes.”
How true. And as usual many Canadians and our government would rather go out of business than ever concede that the Americans might in fact do some things better than us.
And look at the cost of flying within Canada. Vancouver to Toronto is typically 3-4 times the cost of a comparable distance within the US. It boggles the mind.
In general I find that Americans travel far more within their own country than Canadians travel within Canada.
Kate you got that right. Even when our dollar was purposely devalued by the liberals encouraging one child families & other social engendering projects to bring on a pseudo-Utopia only a Stalin or any despot would love. Visiting the States was cheaper than in my own Country. Got treated better as well. I will never forget being turned away from an Ontario border crossing because he didn’t like Albertans. Like the US border guard said. You guys should have left those assholes years ago, between the laughs.
I started warning idiots including rabid anti-American journalists with there minions, to stop the bashing of our American cousins e-mail by e-mail. None listened no doubt thinking I was another kook. In fact they where in a swimming pool of contempt mixed with false pride. More pissing in the wind.
They in there hating frenzy where killing Canadian jobs with the real possibility of retaliation. Than came BSE. No surprise there, as well as passports now for visiting. Thank you Liberals , all you tolerant hypocrites. Cabinet ministers pushing hate laced with contempt towards the US . Gee, where was the HRC’s then eh? When your leaders echo these sentiments as correct , what do they figure was going to happen?
They pushed the discord till it broke a special relationship in there self righteous neo-Marxist loathing of anyone, or ideas but there own.
This dearth of visitors should be no surprise to anyone, nor our borders now thickening. To you Socialist nuts & Liberals you brought this on your own heads. Because of you we now have a reputation for being the smuggest jerks in the world. Who in there right minds would visit a country wide rip off in fee’s at every junction, while getting rotten service demonstrated anger or revulsion towards the very tourists that support a living for them. All the while thinking there superior because of a “social conscience that conveniently allows them to hate the hand that feeds them. Besides our infrastructure is falling apart from these political crooks lining there own pockets, they have beggared this Nation while they have private Islands with out Canada bank accounts, paying no tax here. These where the worst offenders who brought this on us. Of course this chorus of ideological monkeys sung heartily for the political puppets ,this now is the result. I believe the Liberal ultimate end game was complete isolation for Canada (how do you explain 40% Canadian content in everything) especially from the States. If it broke us no big deal. Our intelligentsia already have there nests to flee to. Our own Government example at the time encouraged this to absurdity. Now we pay big time for there rants of envy, boot laced with malicious lies or pure detestation.
When I visit the States I get treated like a King. Oklahoma has to have the most friendly folks alive.
I don’t know if such logical conclusions will ever reach the mind of Liberals and Socialists who have been brought-up to believe that there are no consequences for anything that is done according to their belief-system…
I was at a golf resort in a tiny B.C. town a month ago having dinner with friends. Suddenly a local man stood up and at the top of his voice delivered a rant against “goddamn Calgarians” coming in with all their money, thinking they were better than everyone.
The rant was brilliant. It started with the D word, then the S word, then finally the F and C words. The volume and vitriol rose continuously throughout. I sat in awe.
The table this guy was addressing said they didn’t really do anything to set him off. They were just talking amongst themselves.
Some of my buddies missed the whole thing. They wanted to know if there would be an 8 o’clock performance.
But here’s the thing. The golf course and club house we were in wouldn’t have existed without Calgarians. The entire local economy depended on the money that “goddamn Calgarians” brought in. I guess this guy was prepared to accept the filthy lucre, but not prepared to extend common courtesy. Having grown up in a tourist town, I can tell you it’s a common attitude.
“The thing is, we don’t have anything to offer the tourist in Canada; the US has beaches and parks and big cities.”
This is quite simply false: it’s not our attractions that are the problem.
Just off the top of my head, here are 10 easily accessible,* first-rate Canadian locations for foreign tourists:
1. Niagara Falls from the Canadian side.
2. The Old City of Québec.**
3. Vancouver and Vancouver Island.
4. The wine regions of the Okanagan and Niagara Peninsula.
5. The Rockies – Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise and Whistler.
6. PEI.
7. Algonquin Provincial Park.
8. Bay of Fundy.
9. Toronto – yes, good old much-maligned TUHRANNA.
10. 1000 Islands in the St. Lawrence.
There are plenty more – I’ve not done justice to all provinces – but my point remains valid: it’s not what we have, it’s how we’re handling what we have.
Even in terms of domestic tourism, we shoot ourselves in the foot. Don’t you love those Air Canada seat sales that offer $599 return Toronto-Paris or $699 return Toronto-Regina? Fly to Paris or pay $100 more to go to Regina? Tough choice…
Oh, and “craganless”, thanks a lot for mentioning Carolyn Parrish; I was having a perfectly good morning until you brought THAT woman’s name up.
* Yes, I know there are more esoteric places like the Yukon and the Arctic – and Newfoundland could be listed too – but the key word was easily accessible.
** I was in the Old City a week ago – American tourists everywhere! They love the place because they can go somewhere “European”, “French” and exotic without leaving North America.
The crazy thing is we’ve been preaching tolerance for the last 30 years, great message for all the kids.
To be fair to the “experts” (at least regarding the 1.5 years to prepare), remember that:
– the terms of reference for the study would have been written by bureaucrats (undoubtedly, very poorly);
– the proposals would have been evaluated on lowest cost;
– the work would have been done by the experts within a “narrow” interpretation of the terms of reference and then rejected multiple times while the bureaucrats refined their requirements piece-by-piece; and
– the work (now based on the REAL requirements) would have been reviewed by several different layers of bureaucrats, all looking at the results from different levels of political spin, adjusting the report to make it as palatable as possible for their political masters.
And remember that deadlines for the work of bureaucrats (i.e. their review or response to enquiries) are non-existent.
I can EASILY imagine why it would take a year-and-a-half to produce the report.
Despite the foregoing, the thrust of the post still remains true…the reasons for the crisis are fairly self-evident.
Socialist Miller/TO do their best to attract US tourists.
…-
“After reading this information please visit http://www.torontothebad.com .
The Canadian Shooting Sports Association and the Canadian Institute for Legislative Action is asking for the support of all lawful gun owners across Canada and the U.S. by completely boycotting business and tourism in the City of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Please read on….”
http://www.huntingfootage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2472
The weak dollar isn’t good for Canadian business in the long term. Our forest products are now competitive with government subsidized Canadian products in markets that are struggling world-wide. But, back on topic, I welcome all Canadians to the U. S. and hope your experiences are terrific. We do have fairly decent customer service compared to the rest of the world, we travel world wide, but everyone has a bad day. Americans tend to find any kind of foreigner quite exotic, including Canadians, which helps to ensure smooth transactions. On the other hand, after traveling to Canada and considering Canadians strong allies for years, the Liberal government and the resulting ripple effect among a good proportion of the population put an end to any travel, and even some purchases, e. g., Closet Maid, Molson’s, for the better part of ten years now. But, enough whining. Here’s what should be done. Lure the Europeans to Canada. Canada remains cheap by comparison. The open spaces and metropolitan cities on the coasts and even Calgary have more than enough beauty, restaurants and activities to lure them over. Plus, go hard after the Pacific Rim. Canada seems to have a special place in the hearts of the developed Orient, e. g., Hong Kong, Japan. Leverage it now. Those folks are rolling in the long green and it would be better spent somewhere in North America.
On top of all the other low price benefits, I find that the US is also more family friendly. Unlike Canadian businesses and tourist areas, Americans actually welcome kids. Even my favorite provincial park in Canada is getting to the point where any interaction with nature is frowned upon. It is becoming the outdoor version of my grandmothers only-to-look-at living room where everything must be preserved but never enjoyed. Must be the effects of a rapidly aging population.
The LIberal solution to the problem then?
First one up will be “Travel & Tourism needs more funding! ”
Care to bet?
I read the CTV article earlier this morning – I immediately emailed it (including ALL the reader comments) to my local tourism marketing agency for Vancouver Island.
As some people here may know, I run a Salmon & Halibut Sportsfishing Guide service in Tahsis on the West Coast of the Island.
From what I have gotten, talking with other operators, bookings are down this year by some 30 to 40%. We are getting the perfect storm of high taxation, high gas prices, par dollar, and to boot, poor fishing prospects on the West Coast that while they may not hit us here, have probably spooked everyone into thinking that there are no fish anywhere on the West Coast.
It is still early to tell, but I am not getting the calls I did in the last few years.
JJM, you can’t argue with the fact that between hotels, gas and food, its cheaper to go from Buffalo to Disney World for a week than it is to Muskoka.
Having been both places myself, Disney is arguably more enjoyable. The American that want to visit beautiful scenery and go canoing has Vermont right there. And the Finger Lakes, and New Hampshire…
God help you if you want to go from Buffalo to Vancouver for some whale watching. The smart tourist will go to Seattle instead.
Plus, have you seen the way people treat Americans on the road around Toronto? I used to come home from NY for Christmas etc. with my NY plates, people cut me off and gave me the finger pretty much constantly. They don’t do that with an Ontario plate on the same truck.
Why the hell would they come here? Looks like they finally figured it out.
No, JJM – those ten ‘fabulous’ Canadian tourist destinations are hardly that unique or enticing to bring in the tourists. As I said – the US has parks, and waterfalls, and thousand lakes and mountains and wine regions and canyons and on and on…and New Orleans, and Key West..and.. Canada doesn’t offer anything special in any area.
That includes heritage; go to Boston for heritage and that area. And the south and southwest. We don’t have the ‘visuals’.
I fully agree on the costs. Our monopoly Air Canada (which I now refuse to use for any flights) has only one agenda – money. No service.
The costs of gas, service, hotels, food etc – all outrageous.
And the unfriendliness to visitors. And especially to Americans. Why come?
With fewer tourists coming from the US and the coming downturn in the auto sector, Ontario is about to take a BIG hit economically.
But Liberals and sociallists will never retreat from their handbook, they’ll just tax and spend until we are so fed up we’ll elect someone who will cut taxes and program spending. Why are so many people employed in various levels of government, what is it, one in 3?
Me, I’m vacationing in the US this year, just as I did last year, booked a house on Martha’s Vineyard, way less than anything in the Muskokas.
Heh, can add that “Merry Walsh” aka – nasty dry drunk, to this mix, her hatred of Americans, Republicans specifically, is as deep as her hatred those of us that didn’t re-elect HER fiberal money stealing alter gods. Her good TV-land friend, George Strop..?…whatever, let her yap off her hatred for anyone NOT hating Israelis and R. Americans on his show when he was doing it from here.
They are also bitching about the sudden lack of American dollars here in QC la la land as well. Oh la la!? What ez ‘appening??
Speaking of Arizona, lived there briefly, have visited since as well, can easily say, very friendly place. We’d move there if the right job opportunity came up.
Found the folks very open and welcoming.
Not like in Europe.
We do like the idea that criminals still do serious time for serious crime there, not like here, where attackers, rapists, murderers get out with a second chance within a 1-10 year period.
We do like that the sheriff’s officer can shoot the bad guys dead and it’s not a national crisis…
If I were an American, I’d not choose to travel here now either, our LSM ( and their’s as well ) has poisoned the air.
Toronto: A nice place to live, but I wouldn’t want to visit
Posted on May 15, 2008 by Philip Preville
….This is Yonge-Dundas Square™. Actually it’s not a square; it’s an irregular polygon, just like Times Square in New York City. But it’s totally not like Times Square. It’s cleaner. And emptier. That’s a Sears there behind all that cleavage. It used to be an Eaton’s. Timothy Eaton was the greatest retailer in Canadian history. His company went bankrupt a long time ago. His stores were exactly like Sears, except that people from Rosedale would have been totally happy to be caught dead in Eaton’s. What’s Rosedale? It’s another neighbourhood! They have the nicest liquor store ever. Let’s go! No? Why not? Oh, what do you want to see the CN Tower for? It’s so touristy. And it’s not even the tallest building in the world anymore. It would be better if we visited one of my beautiful river valleys, but I don’t know where they are. Did you know Toronto is the greenest city in North America? Or at least we want it to be. Can’t you tell?….
http://www.torontolife.com/blog/preville-politics/2008/may/15/toronto-nice-place-live-i-wouldnt-want-visit/#comments
Of course anti-Americanism is one of the root causes in the lack of American visitors. “Bush Derangement Syndrome” would have a contributing effect.
If Canada is getting second in line, after Mr. Ahmadinejad, to vilify the US as the “Great Satan” is it any wonder why US tourists spend less time in Canada.
The last time I checked Mr. Bush had a distinct absence of horns erupting from his forehead, there were no cloven hoof feet, and the spade tail was no where evident. Moreover, the pitchfork has long since been discarded, and replaced by Canadian farmer’s mechanized New Holland hay balers.
I mean if we are to take PM Paul Martin’s “Hell or highwater” statements seriously; certainly every red blooded Canadian should be ready to give HELL a makeover.
Thus we have Blackcomb ski resort advertising “Go to Heaven, Ski like Hell.”
But typically, “give ’em Hell” type statements are usually reserved for “Soldiers with guns, in your streets, in Canada. Choose your Canada.”
HELLuva marketing plan wouldn’t you say?
If you want tourists, you have to make Hell a little more attractive, by providing “Highwater” to cool off every once in a while!
Perhaps go back to the drawing board and showing a few example of God’s country:
Last time I checked the coat of arms, our motto was “a mari usque ad mare” — “from sea unto sea,” borrowed from Psalm 72:8 “He shall have dominion from sea to sea.”
One could also draw out the point that “HELL and Highwater” is inconsistent with the BNA Act 1867 provision of ‘Peace, Order and Good Government” and is thus unconstitutional and is of no force or effect.
Further, “Hell and Highwater” offends Section 7 of the Charter of Rights provision of life, liberty and security of the person. “Hell and Highwater” is not saved, as it cannot be shown to be reasonable in a free and democratic society per S.24 of the Charter.
Moreover, we have to return to our marketing plan which states clear in the preamble to the Charter:
“Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law”
Clearly, “Hell and Highwater” is incompatible with the supremacy of God and should be stricken from Canada’s tourist marketing plan as “God’s Country”.
Cheers
Hans-Christian Georg Rupprecht
Commander in Chief
1st Saint Nicolaas Army
Army Group “True North”
Sorry JJM , Carolyn Parrish’s name and many like her hold a lot of pain for many.
Especially for people who had livelyhoods in growing beef, working in the softwood industry, and tourism, not to mention many other honest working people who have been negatively impacted by such a blatant disregard.
All in the name of venting their own irrational beliefs. They have caused much untolled and unnecessary injury. Who the hell votes these people in?
The oxyMORONS in Torontard really just hate themselves. Why would the American bashing be so blatant in the biggest New York wannabe city of all? Self loathing I suspect.
“We don’t have the ‘visuals’.”
Canada?
Canada doesn’t have the “visuals”?
Hello?
“Visuals” aren’t the problem.
“We don’t have the ‘visuals’.”
Canada?
Canada doesn’t have the “visuals”?
Hello?
“Visuals” aren’t the problem.
There are definitely places that I’d like to visit in Canada. We could argue all day about whether the US has a greater number of destinations that are attractive to me, but that’s not really the important thing; there are plenty of places in Canada that I’d like to visit.
I haven’t done it primarily because of the expense. I hadn’t really worried about getting a nasty reception because I’m from the USA. The vast majority of the Canadians that I’ve encountered have been quite friendly. There have been occasional twits who have objected to my use of the term “American” to describe residents of the US (and wanted to call me a “Usanian”), but not many, and Americans aren’t perfect, either.
Just to confound the argument, San Francisco, which is one of the least pleasant cities I know, because of the offensive behavior of the druggies, bums, and perverts, had a record year for tourism revenue in 2007. I don’t understand.
http://www.harrynads.com/american-tourists-beware-we-will-arrest-you
Posted by Kate at June 3, 2008 10:38 AM
“Yup. It’s why I do so much of my dog showing in the US right now. Not only is the competition keener, but it’s cheaper than showing in Canada – a fact that’s driven home the first time you’re charged 25 cents for filling your travel mug with coffee.”
Lots and lots of Canadians go past my place every day of the year. Mostly truckers, but also the common traveler and vacationer. I live on the two-lane state highway that is the shortcut for those from western Ontario and the western Provinces to eastern Ontario, and vice versa. Down from Thunder Bay, or crossings further west, across the UP to the Soo, or down to the crossing at Port Huron. Faster and cheaper than the trans-Superior route.
They do seem to like the cheaper prices and the service that is common to the far-Northern Midwest. They all do tend to drive a lot faster, and pay a lot more speeding tickets.
[Kate: if you’re ever off to travel on that route mentioned above, and need a stop over, a note in advance would get you a free place to stay,a very large area for dogs to roam, home cooking, and FREE coffee. But, an exceedingly slow internet connection. :-)]
Until the final, health-forced, retirement last field season all of our exploration contracts were with Canadian junior mining/exploration companies poking around in the US. All of them, and the associated service companies, have been very reasonable and enjoyable to work for, with the exception of one. His strongly stated opinion, after a bottle of wine one evening, that Americans had become a fat, arrogant, and indolent people finally led us to inform him we no longer needed his business nor his money.
Stabbing the tourists isn’t good for tourism.
http://www.thestar.com/Crime/article/269930
I’ve traveled to almost all the US states, all the continents except the Antarctic and more individual countries than I care to count, but living in Alberta have never been east of Saskatchewan. Why would anyone bother traveling Canada at the inflated costs and snobbish service compared to other countries? With the USD as low as it is now, far more people will be willing to go south than north, enjoying honest opinions, top service and interesting activities other than overpriced elbow to elbow camping for far less cost.
Canada is a beautiful country but so are many others and it’s not the multicultural center of the world “utopia” the elitist snobs would have everyone believe. It’s fast becoming a cultural vacuum ready to be filled with all the worlds’ worst problems and people.
I’ll pick the US over Canada any day to travel especially if trying to stretch a dime. If I feel the need to experience another culture (which I truly enjoy) I fork out a few bucks and get on a plane. Keep it where it belongs, on your side of the fence and everyone stays good neighbors.
It is not anti-Americanism per se. Speaking as an American who can see Owl’s Head Mtn in Que from my back yard, but who never goes to Canada anymore. It is the money differences. But honestly, and I know this is stupid, I am having a hard time getting over having our pee wee hockey team booed in Montreal over the Gulf War. Pee Wee hockey players all over the US look at Canada the way Muslims look at Mecca, and to get booed there over politics they had nothing to do with, It is just sort of unbelievable.
iowavette,
I would say customer service in the U.S – at least in my opinion is outstanding! I fly fish about once a week in upstate NY, and without fail the service improves as soon as I cross the border. I don’t even bother travelling within Ontario on fishing trips anymore – why would I. NY state has better managed resources, more accessible information and better services all around. I am absolutely baffled when I see NY plates up here in the summer.
SVJ, I’ve been to San Francisco. Liked the hills and the streetcars. The rest of it… well, its a city, right? LA was like a giant crap hole with some nice parts thrown in. Can’t see what all the fuss about Beverly Hills is, its flat and kinda dorky. I’ve also been to Phoenix, NYNY (its a DUMP), Minneapolis, Boston, Chicago (drove through, kept my foot hard down the whole time)Philly (another dump), Detroit (DUMP!), St. Louis MO, Sioux Falls SD (kinda like Brantford Ontario, really), Orlando, and lots of smaller places. Lots to see, lots to do, very affordable for me as a student with no dinero. Yes, I’ve driven from Minnesota to Arizona. Yes, its a fun drive. Also from NYC to Phoenix, that was fun too.
I’ve never been to Vancouver, or anyplace west of Windsor in Canada. Mostly because it was too frickin’ expensive and too far to drive (remember, NYC to Phoenix, not afraid to drive far), and once you get there it looks like Toronto if you’re lucky. In the case of Wienerpeg it looks like Hamilton.
I’ve been to Montreal, its just like Toronto except the chicks are a bit better dressed and people are rude as hell. Quebec City has some very nice buildings with really rude@ss people living in them. Rode my motorcycle to Halifax once, nice ride except for Quebec, not much to look at once I got there.
The one, single thing we used to do better than the Yanks was parks. Historically, national and provincial parks in Canada were nice, safe and beautiful. And cheap. Unfortunately this is changing to un-safe and expensive, just like everything else around here.
Craigleith Provincial Park, on Georgian Bay, $75 a night for a (1) tent spot. !!! I about lost my eyesight on that one, not long ago it was ten bucks. We’ll see how many drunks I have to beat up when I go for my two night camp-out in July.
Look on the bright side. With a decline in tourism, carbon emissions will drop substantially.
having lived here in WI for 9 yrs now , I have noticed that the only news of Canada that makes the national broadcasts down here is few and far between and almost always negative and anti-american.
It has come to the point that I no longer admit that I am Canadian .
Leftists have done their best to turn Canada into a third-world pestilential hellhole. However, unlike most officially third-world countries, it’s an EXPENSIVE hell hole.
Even from a leftist perspective Canada is a bust. Compare CBC to PBS. Compare (for entertainment value) Obama with Jack Layton – sure, Jack looks like Lenin but he just doesn’t deliver on the mayhem. Or Hillary vs Elizabeth May.
One mustn’t forget Air Canada’s own special contribution to travel in Canada!
Never mind American tourists – certainly in Newfoundland most people wanting a vacation head for Florida or “the Dominican” rather than to Canadian destinations, and I imagine it’s much the same elsewhere.
I’d suggest that when Robert Mugabe is eventually thrown out of Zimbabwe he should be encouraged to run for Mayor of Toronto. That should take care of tourism in TO, and much else beside.
“But honestly, and I know this is stupid, I am having a hard time getting over having our pee wee hockey team booed in Montreal over the Gulf War.”
Tim – this is not stupid at all. It made a lasting impression on you to Canada’s detriment.
Those who booed should be ashamed.
I doubt they have any shame though, as the last round of hockey riots in Montréal clearly demonstrated.
Silicon Valley Jim – “Usanian”? That’s the most asinine thing I’ve ever heard and any Canadian who would use such a term on an American visitor deserves a swift kick to the posterior.
I hear you Tim, they have no merit in LSM land…bash Americans is the Canadian way now.
Just like when cbc went on strike, they pumped in non-stop “I hate Americans” emails from Brits daily, just for our enlightenment of course, this is what the heads of cbc provided for broadcast service during that time…and on our over taxed tab.
When I objected on a BBC site at the time, (cbc never responded to my written complaint..) they banned me! Found a blog that was linking and fawning about bbc so I left my comment on that blog… next day the whole post, comments and all poof – gone.
And then there is the celebrated Canadian politeness. I’ve had many experiences shopping in Canda and in the US which have gone more or less as follows:
American shopkeeper: “Whaddya want?”
Me: “I’d like a dodad.”
American shopkeeper: “There y’are. That’s two bucks.”
Canadian shopkeeper: “Oh good day sir! And how might I assist you on this fine day?”
Me: “I’d like a dodad”
Canadian shopkeeper: “Oh my gracious sir – a ‘do’ – a ‘do-dad’. I’m really not sure … what is it? Oh I know …. no, I’m terribly sorry, but we don’t currently stock dodads. We do have widgets. Would a widget do?”
Me: “I really need a dodad”.
Canadian shopkeeper: “You might try at Canadian Tire.”
Canadian Tire: “You’re in luck. We have one dodad left”
Me: “How much?”
Canadian Tire: “That will be $12.50. Plus HST.”
God bless America.
Tim in Vermont >
That wasn’t Canada that booed your little league team it was “French Canada”! Listen to Mark Steyns comments on the difference between English & French Canada’s support for the US and Americans. (I don’t have a link readily available, but he has made the comparisons a few times and should be found with a little legwork). This includes the original support for the Iraq war, which was at the time well supported by English Canada and subsequently vetoed by the French Canadian special status in government to do so. I wouldn’t know if the wars support would be the same today due to the ability to see the mismanaging of it, but that would be no different than the diminished support within the US itself today.
I’m not attempting to make hostile comments about French Canadians either, because I don’t know any personally. I am pointing out that there is a tremendous difference between regions within Canada and views within those regions about Americans. Mark Steyn makes those points clear and the mainstream media only beams the negative, which comes predominantly from a minority group with “special status” in an isolated region.
Living in a tourist town, 5 minutes from the American border, I have been sounding this warning for years.
We have had local aldermen(yes, aldermen, 2 f#$%ing bad if it is politically incorrect)burning their flags, insulting them, calling them war mongers, etc, etc, etc.
These idiotic actions(as if some working class family from Syracuse is responsible for the Iraq war)garner front page attention in these border cities, and always with the resultant “why do they hate us?” headline.
The economy of Ontario is in a tailspin(caused by 5 years of chimpy mcliar and his merry band of liberal idiots)and they deserve every hard lick they get!
Thank god we have wealth, and my wife is a nurse!
VICTORIA HERE WE COME…..PUT OUT THE WELCOME MAT SHAMROCK!