OTTAWA — Tourism spending in Canada rose 0.3 per cent in real terms in the fourth quarter, as increased outlays by Canadians at home more than offset a decline in foreign tourism spending in Canada. Statistics Canada reports domestic tourism spending was up 0.4 per cent in the fourth quarter despite a drop in passenger air transport, the largest spending category. Spending on airfares declined 0.9 per cent. Higher spending on accommodation, food and beverage services and, most notably, non-tourism commodities such as groceries, souvenirs and clothing contributed to the overall increase in tourism outlays at home.
Spending by foreign visitors in Canada edged down 0.2 per cent in the fourth quarter.