2006 Canadian Travel to the Capital Region USA
Arrivals
Canadian visitation to the Capital Region USA, including cross-visitation among the
three CRUSA members, was 856,300 persons in 2006, up 5.8% from 2005. The
numbers of visits to the individual regional components were 466,100 to VA, 250,600 to
MD, and 139,600 to DC. These figures represent changes in visitation of 0.0% for VA,
27.5% for MD and -4.9% for DC respectively from 2005. The 2006 regional visitation
total represents 5.4% of the total U.S. person visits of 16.0 million, the same share as
during 2005. This regional share of total U.S. visits provides a gauge of the region's
relative position in the U.S but is not a true share of the U.S. because of cross-visitation
among CRUSA members. For perspective, the total U.S. visitation estimate of 16.0
million, that does not include cross-visitation, represents an increase of 7.6% from 2005.
The average number of nights per visit to the region varied somewhat across the three
localities. The average for DC was 3.7 nights, compared to VA (2.9 nights) and MD (4.0
nights). For perspective, the average for CRUSA members, not accounting for cross-
visitation, was 3.4 nights while the national average was 7.5 nights. The U.S. average is
highly influenced by four states, Florida, California, Arizona, and Hawaii, where large
numbers of Canadians stay for periods that average two to three weeks. The averages
for these states include the influence of "snowbirds" that may stay for several months
during the winter.
Multiplying total person-visits by average length of stay produces the number of total
person-nights. Total person-nights for the CRUSA region were over 2.8 million in 2006,
which represents 2.4% of the U.S. total of 120 million person-nights. Total person-nights
for the three states in 2006 were as follows: VA- 1,364,700; MD- 1,000,500; and DC-
511,500.
In summary, the CRUSA region had an increase in Canadian person-visits of 5.8% in
2006. In addition, the CRUSA region experienced an increase in person-nights of
23.5%. Lastly, CRUSA’s share of total U.S. person-nights increased from 1.99% in
2005 to 2.40% in 2006.
Popularity of Trip Activities
Table 1 shows the relative popularity of numerous types of activities in which Canadian
visitors to the U.S. participated during their trip. Shopping, sightseeing, visiting friends or
relatives and participating in sports/outdoor activities were the most popular activities.
The popularity of activities in 2006 is consistent with those of 2005 and earlier.
WAS/smm 12/9/2011 7ad5d7cc-3c5b-4510-9462-85187524e18c.doc
1
2006 Canadian Travel to the Capital Region USA
Table 1 Percentage of Canadian
Travelers Including Activity
on U.S. Trip
Go Shopping 70%
Go Sightseeing 44%
Visit Friends / Relatives 38%
Participate in sports/outdoor activities 31%
Go to a Bar/Nightclub 23%
Visit Historic Site 21%
Visit Museum/Art Gallery 16%
Visit a National or State Nature Park 16%
Attend cultural events (plays, concerts) 12%
Visit a theme or amusement park 11%
Go to a Casino 11%
Visit Zoo / Aquarium / Botanical Garden 10%
Golf 9%
Attend sports events 8%
Attend festivals or fairs 8%
Boating-motor/Sail Boat/Kayak/Canoe/Other 6%
Fishing 2%
Downhill Skiing or Snowboarding 2%
Hunting 0%
No activity stated 12%
Note: Multiple responses were possible
Spending
Total Canadian visitor spending in the Capital Region USA was $242 million in 2006.
The estimated spending by Canadian travelers in VA is $84 million, compared to $74
million in DC and $85 million in MD. The 2006 regional total represents 2.7% of the U.S.
total spending of $9.0 billion. The U.S. total spending was up 14.5%, and the regional
share of this total was up 30.9% from the 2005 spending level despite the Canadian
dollar gaining a stronger exchange rate.
The average per-person per-day spending, which takes into account total spending,
party size, and length of stay, continues to differ within the region. MD's average of $85
and VA's average of $61 compare to DC's average of $144. For comparison, the 2006
U.S. average per-person per-day spending was $75.
Mode of Transportation
Canadian visitors to the region traveled predominantly by automobile (69%). Twenty-
five percent traveled by airplane, 2% by bus, and 3% by rail, boat and other modes.
Arrivals to the region by airplane decreased 0.5% from 2005 to 2006, while travel by
automobile increased 9.0%. Sixty-six percent of the travelers to DC arrived by airplane
with only 27% arriving by automobile. This contrasts with travelers to VA and MD who
arrived predominantly by automobile, 82% and 70%, respectively, and 14% and 24%,
respectively, by airplane. Rail, boat, and miscellaneous other modes represented very
small percentages.
WAS/smm 12/9/2011 7ad5d7cc-3c5b-4510-9462-85187524e18c.doc
2
2006 Canadian Travel to the Capital Region USA
Type of Lodging
Hotel/motel was the predominant type of accommodation used by Canadian travelers to
the region (based on survey respondents who stated their accommodation type).
Hotel/motel lodging represented 70% of the person-visits in the region in 2006 - with
some variation among the three states. Staying with friends and/or relatives represented
15% and camping represented 5% of the total person-visits in the region. Other types of
lodging represented a small share of visits.
Trip Purpose
Traveling for vacation was the primary trip purpose for 60% of the travelers to the region
in 2006. However, the purpose of travel varied tremendously across the region.
Holiday/Vacation represented 71% of total visits to VA, compared to 57% to MD, and
31% to DC. Business travel represented 17% of visits to the region, but varied for each
CRUSA member: 8% to VA, 16% to MD, and 47% to DC. Visits to friends or relatives
represented 12% of the regional person-visits. Eleven percent of all person-visits were
for other purposes.
Season of Travel
Table 2 shows the seasonal pattern of visitation to the three regions of CRUSA. The
first and second quarters combined were the most visited for Virginia, DC, and Maryland
while the third and fourth quarters received less overall visitation. Washington, DC
showed a significant increase in first quarter visitation and decrease in fourth quarter
visitation in 2006 compared with past years.
Table 2
Seasonal Patterns of 2006 Canadian Visitation to the U.S. and Capital
Region USA in Percentages
Quarter
1st 2nd 3rd 4th
U.S.
2006 22 24 32 21
1989-2006 average 22 24 34 20
CRUSA
2006 30 28 23 20
1989-2006 average 28 28 24 20
Virginia
2006 30 28 23 20
1989-2006 average 31 28 23 18
District of Columbia
2006 28 30 26 16
1989-2006 average 18 30 28 24
Maryland
2006 31 27 21 21
1989-2006 average 25 28 24 23
WAS/smm 12/9/2011 7ad5d7cc-3c5b-4510-9462-85187524e18c.doc
3
2006 Canadian Travel to the Capital Region USA
Province of Residence
The Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec were the origins for approximately 87%
of the visitors to the region. Ontario represented 58%, and Quebec provided 29% of the
2006 visitation to the region. Ninety-two percent of VA visitors came from these
provinces compared to MD (88%) and DC (67%). Canada's other ten provinces
represent the remaining sources of visitors to the region. For perspective, 63% of U.S.
visitation came from these two provinces.
For more information
Please contact Vice President of Sales & Promotions, Diane Béchamps at (804) 545-
5542 for further information about this report and how to access the international
marketing opportunities.
WAS/smm 12/9/2011 7ad5d7cc-3c5b-4510-9462-85187524e18c.doc
4