Young Americans to Canada: You’re Boring
Travel Blog • Michael Yessis • 06.12.07 | 10:33 AM ET
New passport rules and a strong loonie are keeping many Americans away—there’s been a 34 percent decline in U.S. visitors since 2000—but also the perception that Canada isn’t exotic or adventurous enough. In fact, according to a study by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada that tracked U.S. perceptions of travel to Canada, many Americans in their 20s and 30s (American newspaper editors apparently have feelings about this, too) call the country an “average” or “boring” place to visit. C’mon, fellow American twentysomethings and thirtysomethings. Give our northern neighbors some love. I’ve snowboarded the Canadian Rockies, seen moose and elk wandering through Banff, watched the Saint John river go in reverse, kayaked in Nova Scotia, quaffed Canadian beer and touched the Stanley Cup, and I know what anyone who’s explored even a little of Canada knows: It’s plenty adventurous and exotic. So what’s the problem? Branding, apparently.
From a CanWest News Service story:
The report found that Canada is losing a steady share of the tourism pie to countries such as China and Australia, whose governments have launched aggressive advertising campaigns to attract lucrative U.S. travellers.
“A lot more countries are marketing to the U.S., but we haven’t stepped up to the plate,” said Williams.
“It’s crazy. We’ve got a lot of exotic experiences in Canada, whether it’s survival camping, dog-sledding or sea kayaking, but we’re not getting the message out.”
By the way, Canada, the problem may not just be the branding or Americans’ lack of knowledge. There’s also the matter of turning away U.S. citizens with even minor criminal records.
Related on World Hum:
* U.S. Newspapers to Canada: We’re Outta Here
* Yukon Summer Sky
* Australia’s ‘Bloody’ Success
* Nation Branding: What the World Can Learn From Spain, India and New Zealand
* Iqaluit, Canada: Unlikely Celebrity Hot Spot
Photo of skier at Whistler, British Columbia by chad050 via Flickr, (Creative Commons).
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Michael Yessis is the cofounder and coeditor-in-chief of World Hum.
Jennifer 06.13.07 | 3:27 PM ET
I, too, am an American twentysomething and am here to say that Canada ROCKS! There’s so much to experience there—it’s highly underrated! A destination doesn’t have to be a far away place to be adventurous or exotic.
Montreal has some of the best food in the world! Quebec City’s locale along the St. Lawrence River is stunning—it’s like a little slice of Europe right here in North America. The ice hotel is an unforgettable experience. What so many people say about Vancouver is true—it’s the Canadian version of San Francisco! So cool! Churchill, Manitoba is the Polar Bear Capital of the World. I could go on and on…
Best of all, flights to Canada are really affordable for Americans. Twentysomethings, give it a chance!
Carin 09.12.07 | 5:20 PM ET
I’m Canadian, and I think we’re just victims of bad press! For the adventurous outdoors type, we offer world class skiing, snowboarding, great camping, etc. We also have some great metropolitan cities such as Toronto and Montreal, where people can enjoy the more urban adventure. Please note though, there is no free healthcare for tourists; you will need travel insurance. If you need some help on this, feel free to post back!
ted 11.14.07 | 1:52 AM ET
this is not all story about boring Canada, this place is full of the shit trust me in 1995 I was awarded as professional artist to move in los angeles and I did , but I be enough stupid to left USA in Canada where is so expensive , not friendly people, stupid, selfish, and a system looks like came from 1000 years a go just pay and pay TAX ...the only thinks I know about Canada is best place for rich people and any one like to go after crime,we don’t have enough freedom like the american and in many ways we must obey the law and pay and pay to government, like slave working to are government spend are money on politics…
Al 11.26.07 | 12:43 AM ET
Dog sledding? camping? That’s as blend as it gets (even though i love camping).. those are typical Canadian stereotypes (including “ice fishing”). If Canadian officials think those are “exotic” and “adventurous” then that’s our problem! Comeon, who wants to go to another country only to freeze and do a boring dog sledding or ice fishing?! (no offence to those who like it) We have to compete with countries like US or beautiful western European countries. I am a Canadian and proud of it, but even i know we don’t have a very exciting country (pretty boring most of the time). I’m not talking about snowboarding and sea kayaking.. there are many places in the world that offer that, even much better than us. We don’t have anything unique international thing to offer except for CN tower (which is no longer the tallest structure anymore). Our “largest” and “best” city is supposed to be Toronto, and once you are passed few blocks from their downtown area, the rest is depressing. I mean comeon, are we supposed to compete with places like NYC, LA, etc? We are not even close to those places. I mean you go to Toronto, there is not one breathtaking tower/structure (except for CN tower), they are all simple blocks, so unoriginal. Montreal and Van have some nice buildings but that’s about it. We need to wake up and don’t let our freezing climate make us frozen and boring too. We have to make our big citied better than NYC, etc. But for that we need alot of business (capital) and big population to make that happen, which our country’s extremely conservative policies don’t let that happen. Until we change ourselves, we are going to be U.S.‘s village and be seen as boring. Another thing is that we don’t like to spend money for entertainment/arts and extravagant events like they do in US. Those make big differences in international/domestic public perception too. I’m not trying to be unpatriotic, i’m just stating the facts; i love this country that’s why i want it to be the best in the world; where travelers come to our cities instead of NYC, LA, etc.
kate 12.13.07 | 10:17 PM ET
I live in Canada and here are so many things to do both summer and winter. I do enjoy staying Canada. Montreal is a great city to touch frenchcanadian culture, Tronto has many museums to see and Vancouver is relaxing city and has many place to ski, snowboard and camp. Canada is not a borning country!