Statscan - After three consecutive quarterly declines, Canada's international travel deficit remained virtually unchanged between the first and second quarters of 2009 at $2.9 billion.

Inbound travel spending declined 1.6% to $3.8 billion. This was the third consecutive quarterly decline and the lowest level in five and a half years.

At the same time, spending on travel by Canadians outside the country declined 0.7% to $6.7 billion. This was the fourth consecutive quarterly decline and the lowest level in two years.

American travellers spending less in Canada

The travel deficit with the United States increased by $82 million to $2.0 billion in the second quarter. This was the result of lower travel spending by US travellers in Canada and higher spending by Canadians in the United States.

American travellers spent $1.7 billion in Canada, down 3.1% from the first quarter and the lowest level in over 12 years.

Lower travel spending may be attributable to a decline in the number of overnight trips from the United States, which fell 2.5% to a 16-year low.

Meanwhile, Canadians spent $3.7 billion in the United States, up 0.7% from the first quarter. Overnight travel by Canadians to the United States edged up 0.2%.

Decline in travel deficit with overseas countries

Canada's travel deficit with overseas countries declined by $68 million to $886 million, as spending by Canadians overseas fell for the second consecutive quarter.

Canadians spent $3.0 billion overseas, down 2.5% from the first quarter. The decline was the result of a 4.3% decrease in the number of overnight trips overseas.

Travel spending overseas, which has historically shown steady increases over the last 20 years, has been fairly stable recently, hovering between $2.9 billion and $3.1 billion in the last two years.

Meanwhile, travellers from overseas countries spent $2.1 billion in Canada in the second quarter, a 0.3% decline and the lowest level in almost two years. A 6.0% drop in overnight travel from overseas countries contributed to the decrease.

Note to readers

This international travel account analysis is based on preliminary quarterly data, seasonally adjusted unless otherwise stated. Amounts are in Canadian dollars and are not adjusted for inflation.

Receipts represent spending by foreigners travelling in Canada, including education spending, medical spending and spending by crew members.

Payments represent spending by Canadian residents travelling abroad, including education spending, medical spending and spending by crew members.

Overseas countries are those other than the United States.