According to a Canadian Press article published on CTV.ca , Canada ranks seventh in a new study of world travel and tourism destinations, but could do a better job putting out the welcome mat for tourists. Canada tied with Singapore and Luxembourg in the international survey of 124 countries listed in the Geneva-based World Economic Forum’s first ever Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report. Switzerland heads the list, followed by Austria, Germany, Iceland, the United States and Hong Kong.
Canada scores high marks for its travel and tourism infrastructure, but needs to work on reducing air ticket taxes and offering a friendlier face to visitors from abroad, the report suggests. Canada’s strengths included air transport infrastructure (which is ranked second in the world) and the ability of being able to use the internet to book air tickets, hotels, rent cars or purchase other travel needs. The report cites price competitiveness as a major weakness; when it comes to the cost of living in the country, Canada scores 120th out of 124 countries.
Canada placed number 76 in the assessment of the actions of Canadians towards tourists. According one of the report’s authors, “Canadians need to be a little more helpful in pointing people in the right direction to help them get to their destinations.”
