TORONTO — Discover America Canada committee members received a warm welcome from U.S. Consul General, Baxter Hunt and his wife, Deb Derek at a garden reception yesterday in Toronto.
Hunt shared the latest outlook for Canadian tourism to the U.S. as guests enjoyed the grounds and views at the U.
S. Consul General’s Residence in midtown Toronto. Projections for 2024 are all good, said Hunt.
Some 22.7 million Canadians are expected to visit the U.S.
this year, spending $18.2 billion. “We are so delighted to have you here, the Discover America Canada committee,” said Hunt.
“You are the people who do so much to support tourism and the travel industry to the United States.” He noted that Canadians are very experienced travellers to the U.S.
, and many are looking for new destinations stateside. “When Canadians visit the States about 45% of them will visit two or three cities and about 11% of them will visit four or more cities in a single trip. So these are folks who really get around and who are looking for new opportunities,” said Hunt.
Hunt arrived in Toronto in October 2023 to take up the U.S. Consul General post.
“And one of the very first events that I did was the Discover America Media Day. And I was fortunate enough there to be able to meet some of you, and also folks from a lot of other destinations across the U.S.
And it just reinforced for me how important the Canadian market is for the U.S. tourism sector.
” THE EASE OF MOBILE PASSPORT CONTROL & MORE Hu.