Industry committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you once again for inviting us to appear before you today. The Canadian Tourism Commission is a crown corporation of the Government of Canada. We are in the business of marketing Canada as a tourism destination. The CTC does this in collaboration

Industry committee  We really see the U.S. market as three distinct markets. There's a drive market that's within driving distance of the border; there's a mid-haul market that will fly or drive, but mostly fly; and there's a long-haul market that will fly to Canada. The fly market coming out of the

Industry committee  Our most recent research suggests that the fact that we're very much the same as them has at certain times been a very compelling reason to travel to Canada. Now it's becoming much less compelling—in fact, of no particular interest. The fact that we're like them is giving them mu

Industry committee  Absolutely. I'll just talk about the strategy in a broad sense, and I'd be happy to provide you with a copy of the detailed strategy. Generally, the shift that has been made over the last few years to address this issue has been to shift investment to markets where we're gettin

Industry committee  I tabled what the tourism sector believes would be a good remedy to WHTI. As the national marketing organization, we've indicated to the minister that our position is one of increased investments to fight the competitive battle more effectively in the U.S. market. As I said, I'm

Industry committee  It was easier in many ways. I presume that your question is speaking specifically to the U.S. market, because there has been strong--

Industry committee  Therefore it's a huge issue for us. You point to factors that have been weighing in our favour in the last five years, but I would add that significant factors have also weighed against us. The events of 9/11 had a dampening effect on outbound U.S. travel generally, and the effe

Industry committee  I think that question would have to be directed to Industry Canada, to the department. As a marketing agency, we have tabled the impacts relative to marketing and we have advised the minister in that regard, but in terms of the overall policy direction, that would be for Industry

Industry committee  Yes. About half of our marketing dollars are dedicated to the U.S. market. Our partners also invest a lot with us and, in fact, independently in that market. This year we completed the largest piece of consumer research that was ever conducted by any destination in the U.S. We

Industry committee  In the current budget, it's a $3 million cut.

Industry committee  I'm telling you the facts of what the budget figures are for this year; it's a cut of $3 million, from $78.8 million to $75.8 million. I believe the minister was referring to the Olympic investment that may be forthcoming.

Industry committee  From a purely tourism perspective, we find that this issue is getting a lot more attention now than it did last year, when our first research was completed. The focus we've made from a tourism marketing point of view is on trying to get the confusion out of the market as quickly

Industry committee  When I was speaking about confusion, I was talking about confusion among travellers in the U.S., not confusion in Canada. You're right, there's good clarity in Canada that this is a big issue we need to face. As a marketing agency, we can advocate to federal government departmen

Industry committee  We have had that discussion with our minister, Minister Bernier. The Tourism Industry Association has tabled these recommendations with a number of ministers.

Industry committee  Thank you. I'd just like to review the deck that I circulated, just to share with you some of the challenges and opportunities we are facing in developing tourism for Canada. The Canadian Tourism Commission is a crown corporation. Our head office is in Vancouver. We're responsi