In advance of the Canada-US-Mexico Summit meeting in Cancun, Mexico, the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) has released a travel survey that shows the negative impact of a U.S. passport requirement. As of December 31, 2006 the…
In advance of the Canada-US-Mexico Summit meeting in Cancun, Mexico, the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) has released a travel survey that shows the negative impact of a U.S. passport requirement. As of December 31, 2006 the United States Government has a requirement that all citizens entering the U.S. via air and sea, including Americans returning home, must be in procession of a passport. The issue of passport requirements is on the agenda when Prime Minister Harper, and Presidents Bush and Fox meet in Cancun.
In the Hotel Association of Canada/Fleishman Hillard survey, 36 per cent of Canadians say they would take at least one trip to the US this year, with the majority (24 per cent) indicating at least a one-night stay. However, when asked if they would still travel to the U.S. if a passport requirement were in place, 27 per cent said they would likely cancel the trip.
HAC President Tony Pollard says, “Clearly this will have a negative impact on travel and trade between Canada and the United States and there needs to be a workable solution arrived at including a delay of implementation. The U.S. and Canada are each other’s largest trading and tourism partners. It only makes sense that they work collaboratively on this issue.”
Vice President, Research at Fleishman Hillard Canada, Gail Haarsma says, “The data indicates that a disproportionate number of regular travelers will not go to the United States if a passport is required. This is a significant finding for the Hotel Association.”
The Hotel Association of Canada is the national organization representing the lodging industry in Canada. Our membership encompasses the provincial and territorial hotel associations, the corporate hotel chains, independent hotels, motels and resorts and the many suppliers to the hotel industry. Our objective is to assist both our national and international members as they endeavor to enhance their competitiveness and achieve their bottom line.
The survey was conducted with 2007 adult Canadians by Fleishman Hillard Canada (formerly GPC Public Affairs) about their leisure and business travel as well as opinions on current issues affecting travel in Canada. The overall margin of error is +/-2.2%, at a 95% confidence interval. The survey took place December 12 through 20, 2005.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
