August 4th, 2022
Tourism and charter bookings are showing signs of life as the economy opens and consumers are gaining the confidence needed to secure trips. Although international travel continues gain momentum, the association continues to work with governments to help facilitate the movement of tourists across borders by removing barriers caused by ArriveCan requirements, random testing, and remaining restrictions in place for non vaccinated.
Around 80 per cent of tourism spending in both the US and in Canada in a normal year comes from domestic demand. With some destinations having close to 40 per cent of pre-pandemic tourism spending coming from international tourists.
Data is now showing that travellers are sticking closer to home. As a result, the potential group market within driving distances is almost 1 million people larger than usual. Pre-covid, spending on tourism was almost twice as much on long-haul fly-in international trips. Thus, re-directing some of that spending to group friendly destinations closer to home greatly supports North American recovery. Demand for summer and fall is looking strong. Early data is already pointing to green shoots emerging with spending on hotels, restaurants, as confidence in vaccination effectiveness accelerate and worldwide restrictions continue to be eliminated.
Should the group travel segment continue to benefit from the renewed interest in traveling closer to home while we continue to benefit from rebounding inbound international visitations and spend, our industry should expect to see a strong 2023 and beyond.
To assist in the rebuild of North American group travel, please remember to register today for our OMCA Marketplace 2022 taking place in NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario from NOVEMBER 13-16, 2022. OMCA Marketplace is an intimate event that provides all group-tourism related companies a chance to connect, network, learn, and secure future group bookings. Tour Operators meet one-on-one with tourism suppliers for a series of 8-minute appointments for a speedy update on products and services available to their upcoming groups. All delegates enjoy evening networking receptions, networking lunches, and educational sessions to boost your knowledge and ability to navigate the post-pandemic recovery of motor coach and group tourism.