Paul Martin's Business Update - June 25th, 2014

There’s no place like home.

It is well established that advertising at home is the most effective way to attract tourists. That’s because so many of us like to see our home province rather than venturing far afield.

And it appears that is going to be especially true in 2014.

A survey conducted for BMO Bank of Montreal to assess Canadians’ summer travel plans has revealed that even more of us will be sticking close to home this year. In large measure this is being driven by cost control.

The most likely Canadian to stay in their home province this year is an Albertan but they are not alone. More than 80 per cent of us rated Canada as their top destination with more than half planning to stay in their home province.

Travel to the US tops the international field with 30 per cent saying they would likely cross the border…significantly higher than the five per cent contemplating Europe as this year’s summer option. Unless, of course, you under 35 years old…one-quarter of this group expects to leave the continent.