Somehow, I missed the fact that refunds for Canada's GST or value-added tax that applied to a majority of goods and services was eliminated on April 1, 2007.
The Visitor Rebate Program provided GST relief for goods exported from Canada by non-residents, short-term accommodation (hotels) and certain tour packages for visitors. Some property and services taxes used in the convention arena were also eliminated.
It all has to do with the Canadian government's package of "specific spending restraint measures" announced on September 25, 2006.
In this statement from the Tourism Industry Association of Canada released on Oct. 18, 2006 it's clear that TIAC is not happy about the cost-cutting decisions:
Eliminating the GST/HST Visitor Rebate Program will put Canadian jobs, economic growth and tax revenues at risk. That's the message the federal government got today from the VRP (Visitor Rebate Program) Coalition, a broad-based business group formed to fight the planned measure, announced last month as part of a wide-ranging series of spending cuts.
"Canada's competitiveness as a tourism destination is at stake," said Randy Williams, President and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC), which is leading the multi-stakeholder initiative. "While other countries are going out of their way to attract visitors, Canada is essentially rolling up the welcome mat. All of our major competitors have visitor rebate programs and a number of them have, in fact, been expanding those programs and making them easier to access."
Visitors will no longer receive a six percent savings on goods and accommodations in BC and other provicnes. That loss, along with the US and Canadian dollars almost being at par, could play a factor in the ongoing decline of Americans crossing the border into Canada.
The press release concluded with these final thoughts:
The industry is already struggling with a substantial decline in visitation from the United States, Canada's primary international tourism market, which was 28% lower in 2005 than in 2000. Factors include a stronger Canadian dollar, rising fuel prices, an underfunded national tourism marketing effort, and confusion about border documentation requirements under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. Now, by canceling the GST/HST exemption for convention, group and tour business, the government is effectively revoking tourism's status as an export industry.
"The Canadian tourism industry is working hard to reposition itself in a market that has changed radically in recent years," said Mr. Williams. "Canceling the Visitor Rebate Program is an additional blow that could prevent it from doing that. The federal government is kicking the industry while it's down."
What a shame.
With the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games only a few years away, the Canadian suits need to rethink this action.
And soon.
The Vancouver skyline overlooking Coal Harbour from Stanley Park's Seawall Park. Photo by Sue Frause.
Used to be I read USA Today only when I was on the road.
These days, I subscribe to their daily e-travel alerts, which land in my mail box and are generally a fun, newsy read.
Today's alert is titled:
Top 25 Changes in the way we travel
No surprise that the number one big change is online booking.
The rest of the list of innovations and annoyances includes everything from TSA airport security and e-tickets to flying beds and the end of supersonic travel.
Planning a trip to NYC. Photo by Sue Frause.
One of my favorite ways to see a city is by going on a walking tour.
But the tours are only as good as the guides, and John Adams of Discover the Past in Victoria is one of the best.
The historian knows his stuff, but also presents it in an entertaining and engaging way.
His walking tour menu includes ghostly walks, neighbourhood walks and Chinatown.
I went on the 90-minute Chinatown tour and learned a lot about this provincial capital.
Did you know that Victoria's Chinatown is the oldest Chinatown in Canada?
And if you do take the tour, make sure you save time to have lunch at one of the restaurants in Chinatown.
John will steer you in the right direction.
John Adams gives walking tours of Chinatown.
Photo by Sue Frause.
I went on my first hot air balloon ride four years ago while visiting Sonoma Valley, California.
I was admittedly nervous about it.
The only other time I went ballooning was in the Seattle area for our anniversary. I was relieved when it was canceled due to bad weather.
So how did I fare during my Sonoma balloon debut?
"Are you OK?" asked the Aerostat pilot, Dave Kinsella.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I said unconvincingly.
"If you want to change places with somebody, go ahead," he said.
I gingerly switched positions with another one of the 16 balloon riders on board, putting me closer to the pilot and farther away from the outer edge of the mammoth basket we were riding in.
So when I read in today's papers that two people died in a hot air balloon crash, I wondered if that would prevent me from going up, up and away again.
Right now, I'm not sure.
But I hope not.
I still recall the acres of vineyards awash in autumnal colors that spread out below us like a carpet.
Three other balloons dotted the pale blue sky as the cars and houses and people grew smaller below.
It was magical.
A hot air balloon in Sonoma. Sue Frause photo.
I take pictures of fun/funny signs when I'm on the road.
There they are, in a neat little file in my iPhoto program on my iMac.
Some of the best ones are church signs.
A friend sent me this link to a website that has some real choice ones.
The next time you're on the road and see a good sign, shoot it.
With your camera.Check the pastors' names! Sue Frause photo.
Something better be done at the US-Canadian border between Washington and British Columbia before the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.
Even though the requirement of having a passport has been delayed by the U.S. House of Representatives until June 2009 at the earliest, they need to ramp up the process of getting people across the border in a timely fashion.
I had a pretty hellish experience traveling from Vancouver to Seattle recently.
Usually, I take Amtrak between Vancouver and Everett, Washington. But on this particular occasion, the train was sold out.
Note: Amtrak has two trains a day between Seattle and Vancouver. It leaves Seattle at 7:40 AM and Vancouver, BC at 6 PM.
My only options were to fly to Seattle for around $250 one way -- or take the bus.
Long story short: I got on the inappropriately named Quick Shuttle in Vancouver at 8 AM. I was in downtown Seattle at 2:45 PM.
That's almost seven hours!
My journey began at the main train/bus station in Vancouver; continued on to Canada Place for the cruise ship passengers; the downtown Holiday Inn; Vancouver International Airport; Campbell River Store (not to be confused with Campbell River on Vancouver Island) and the border crossing at Sumas where we spent nearly two hours.
There were a slough of buses lined up to go through US Customs and Border Protection. After all, it's cruise ship season, and many people were headed to SeaTac for their flights home.
When we finally were instructed to get off the bus, there were only two agents on duty. All our bags had to be removed along with our carry-on items.
Why are passengers on buses scrutinized more than those traveling by train or personal vehicles?
With bus friends Adrian and Lucca.
The only plus-side of this very long day was sitting next to a charming fellow by the name of Adrian Ostropolsky. He and his partner Lucca were on holiday in Canada and the US from their home in Barcelona.
We had a good laugh about our hellish trip.
I've read that tourism by Americans to Canada is down -- I'm not surprised.
But I don't think it's as much about the weak dollar as it is about the long border lines.
Our government needs to figure out a better way of keeping us "secure."
Right now, many "children of a common mother" are finding it easier to travel on their own side of the border.
I love Canada -- it's my second home.
Long lines and all.
Sumas border crossing. Sue Frause photo.
I'd just spent four hours on a bus from Courtenay to Victoria on Vancouver Island, so when my innkeeper friend Sylvia Main picked me up I was ready for a table, chair, food and wine.
We went to a new restaurant in the Fernwood neighborhood of this capital city.
Stage is owned by George and Linda Szasz, the same couple that has Paprika Bistro. Located near The Belfry Theatre, it specializes in small plates and wine.
It tasted mighty fine.Stage in Victoria. Photo by Sue Frause.
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is making green the color for summer.
Now through September 3, overnight guests with hybrid vehicles can park for free at The Fairmont Olympic Hotel and her sister properties The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, The Fairmont Waterfront, The Fairmont Empress in Victoria and the Fairmont Chateau Whistler.
Guests will enjoy an average savings of $60 USD on a two-night stay, making it a true economic advantage.
If you're a fan of Vancouver like me, keep up with what's going on in this cool Canadian city by subscribing to the online vitamin v.
The online lifestyle magazine arrives in your mailbox Monday-Friday with news about health and beauty, fashion and decor, arts and culture, dining and nightlife and travel and leisure.
And it's free!
Coal Harbour, Vancouver. Sue Frause photo.
