Tourists return to Canada
Pre-pandemic records are not broken, but there are some positive changes.
Statistics Canada has released data on foreigners visits to Canada. Compared to the previous year's figures, the current statistics are impressive.
In March 2023, 281,400 people came to Canada. By comparison, last year in the same month, 148,900 people visited Canada, almost half as many.
This year's figures are encouraging: if we compare the statistics with the pre-pandemic ones, we can easily say that 80% of those who came to Canada before COVID-19 are returning.
About 40%, or 114,700 tourists came from European countries. In March last year there were only 68,800. 72,400 came from Asia, more than half the number arriving in March 2019, when no COVID-19 was on the horizon and Canada welcomed tourists with its beauties, resorts and attractions.
Also, about 1,100,000 Americans visited Canada in March which is 75% of the pre-pandemic level. In 2022 there were only 465,200 in 2022.
This is especially important for Canada, because their neighbors to the south regularly come to the Maple Leaf country's resorts. As for American youth, those under 21 have always been particularly active in coming to Canada: the whole point is that in the States alcohol is sold from age 21, but in Canada, depending on the region, from the age of18 or 19.
Canadians are also actively traveling to the U.S: in March 2023 they made 3.3 million trips southbound. Although even this statistic does not reach pre-COVID-19 figures.
