Statcan has released its International Travel Advance information for the month of March. Mexico was once again ahead of Germany in the number of visitors to Canada in the month of March. While Germany is still overall ahead of Mexico on an annual basis, I won't be surprised if los turistas mexicanos surpass their German counterparts on an annual basis by 2009. Mexico was up 52.7% over March 2006. Impressive as this is, it is not surprising and unexpected. One must remember that Easter falls either in March or in April and sometimes overlaps both months. In 2006, Easter fell in April so that month saw an 82% growth over April 05 because Easter fell in March that year. This year Easter Holidays for Mexicans began at the end of March so many tourists flew to Canada on March 30th or 31st. Schools are closed for two weeks in Mexico during Easter Holidays, so many travelers take off the second week. This means that this year there will also be a spike in growth in April (hopefully another 50% or more). In absolute numbers, Canada received 47,367 Mexican visitors from Jan to April 2006. In the first 3 months of this year - Jan thru March 37,497 Mexicans travelled to this country. It will be a couple of months before we know the final numbers for April 2007, but I am confident they will look good. The summer is looking good for Canadian tourism businesses that serve Hispanic visitors. Spain, still small in absolute numbers was up 38.3% from March last year and South America (excluding Brazil) was up 28.2%. Germany, by the way was also up in March but only by 9.4% German visitors from Jan thru March numbered 38,835 only 1,338 more than Mexicans. Sadly the US numbers continue to drop. Overall visitations from the US were down 12.3% for March, 14.1 % for the first 3 months of the year. (see International Travel Statcan)Jaime
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