Olympic Games in Canada Have Strong Appeal to Travellers

A survey by Visa Inc. indicated that a quarter of all international travelers were interested in attending the Olympic Games in Vancouver next year. The survey (conducted between Dec 11, 2008 and Jan 8, 2009) of more than 5,500 experienced global travelers in 11 countries also found that the majority of these potential visitors also planned to visit other parts of Canada. This indicates that the Games could bring real economic impact to Canada. The survey also showed that Canada has a strong showing as a repeat destination, as nearly 75% of survey respondents who had been to Canada wanted to return.

Of the countries surveyed, Hong Kong visitors to Canada spent the most on each Visa transaction ($248), followed by Russian tourists ($234), and Saudi Arabian tourists ($216). U.S. visitors spent an average of $114 on each Visa transaction.