Travel tips

While there is not much that will keep Canadian snowbirds from heading south for the winter, a low Canadian dollar is making them think twice about their winter travel plans. It is also causing some concern for the southern regions in the United States that depend on snowbirds and tourism to fuel their local economies.

There has been a lot of talk about the impact of the low Canadian dollar on people’s travel habits this year, and this talk has spread to areas in the United States that are popular among snowbirds and vacationers alike.

Starting March 15, 2016, a new travel screening process will begin, impacting some visitors to Canada. The new rule affects people travelling by air from visa-exempt countries. These travellers have a new entry requirement – an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) – for boarding a flight to Canada. The new rule impacts travellers from most European countries and a few other countries.

The prospects of taking a vacation in Canada have not been this good for more than a decade, which was the last time the Canadian dollar took a nose-dive. For Canadians, Americans and international travellers alike, now is the perfect time to book a Canadian vacation and be reminded why the country is a premier tourist destination.

There is a difference between booking a vacation and booking an escape. A vacation is something that average tourists do: they visit the sights in Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver. An escape is a trip that allows you to disconnect and experience something completely unique, and it may even take you out of your comfort zone.

While low gas prices and a less-than-stellar Canadian dollar are hurting many industries, tourism within Canada is not one of them. The lower price of the loonie is attractive to international tourists coming to Canada, especially our neighbours to the south.