Canada in the top 10
ok, I read this article about "The first ever Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report, issued by the World Economic Forum, ranks the most attractive environments for development in the travel and tourism industry around the world. "
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070301/travel_study_070301/20070301?hub=Canada
Now I am glad to hear that Canada has ranked in the top 10. I find it even ironic how Canada has ranked even with Singapore, a country to which I plan on moving to in about 6 months time. Rather interesting, mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. It is nice to know that Canada has the 2nd best air in the world...yeah team! Nice to know all those nasty SUVs and pick up trucks that us westerners insist of driving around town haven't totally destroyed the air we have. I mean, it is a necessity cause you just never know when you are going to hit that big moose on the main street of Edmonton, Calgary or Vancouver and we all know how much of a pain in the ass it is to haul a whole dead moose in the back of a Yaris, now don't we?
Though one thing I find amazing is that out of 124 countries, Canada scores 120th in expense to live. Now, I am assuming that this means that the #1 spot is the cheapest country to live in and #124 is the most expensive. I guess that means that we are really expensive to live here. I just wonder if they take into consideration the income and pay that Canadians are making as a whole or if they are just looking at costs. I mean, if you come from a country that has no minimum wage, work in a job for $3/hour and save up your entire life to come to Canada for a visit and find yourself paying $13 for a complete McDonald's meal, then it might be considered expensive. But if you are living in Canada and making $14/hour as a common dishwasher with no education or experience, then a $13 meal at McDonald's really isnt that expensive. Hmmm, I wonder about that part of the questionaire/survey and see.
Though I will admit that we are horrible when it comes to treating tourists. There are some Canadians that will go out of their way to be friendly and courtious to some tourists, but we have to draw the line and sometimes we do get snippy. I mean, we can only say the phrase "no, Canadians don't all own guns, that would be the Americans, and no, I do not know your friend Tom from Toronto because I live in Edmonton and that is a little far away". Also, an even worse thing that I can suggest as to why Canadians are sometimes bad towards tourists is because there are times when we might take them for immigrants. We do seem to have this horrible way of thinking that when you come to Canada you should be able to keep your beliefs, your culture and your religion as long as it doesnt mess with the usual (or Canadian normal) way of life. So, you are free to wear your turbins, carry your knives, celebrate any sort of holiday and observe all types of interesting and fascinating religious beliefs BUT when it disrupts the day to day life of work and all, then it draws a line. So, if the work uniform dictates a helmet then no a turbin is not considered a helmet and it should be removed. Yes, carry your knives at home but leave them there when you go to the supermarket, work or school. Feel free to pray as often as your religion dictates but remember, a normal work day means a 15 minute coffee break in the morning, 30 - 60 minutes for lunch (depending on where you work) and 15 minute coffee break in the afternoon and these are set times to work with other peoples schedule so that all are accomodated. If prayer takes 20 minutes, then I am afraid you are out of luck because it would disrupt the work place. Anyways, horrible tangent rant there, but back to the topic. Yes, there are many times when immigrants come to Canada and then all of a sudden demand that Canadians bow to accomodate them because that whole 'freedom of religion, life' part of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. So there are some Canadians that look at anyone with an accent and instantly think "immigrant" so when we are asked where something is the first thing that they think is "you are living here, find it out yourself". I bet it would be soooo much easier, and Canadians would be sooo much friendlier to tourists, if 1) we werent so multicultural, or 2) didnt have so many people forcing ways of life on everyone else.
but, yeah, in the long run, way to go Canada! Ranking good. Let's just work on a few other spots and let's be number 1! or, at least, beat those Yanks!*G*
Canada ranks seventh on top 10 tourism list
Updated Thu. Mar. 1 2007 12:04 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Canada ranks seventh in a new international report released Thursday on the most desirable travel and tourism destinations.
The first ever Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report, issued by the World Economic Forum, ranks the most attractive environments for development in the travel and tourism industry around the world.
Canada tied with Singapore and Luxembourg out of the 124 countries surveyed, while Switzerland, Austria and Germany took the top three positions. Angola, Burundi and Chad rounded out the bottom three positions.
"I would say in general it is a very good assessment of Canada," Irene Mia, a senior economist with the World Economic Forum who helped prepare the report, told The Canadian Press from Geneva. "It's in the top 10."
Canada's illustrious showing was due in part to the excellent air (ranked second in the world) and ground transportation infrastructure. The continuing focus on travel and tourism across the country also bolstered the ranking.
Canada also boasts 13 World Heritage sites, which continue to draw tourists from around the world, as well as an educated and healthy tourism work force ready to meet the needs of travelers.
However, there are areas in need of improvement within the tourism industry. Canada's health and hygiene came in at the 38th spot, while the low concentration of doctors contributed to a rank of 48 within the physician density category.
The high standard of living also contributed to visitor woes. "When it comes to the cost of living in the country, Canada scores really bad -- 120th out of 124 countries -- very expensive," said Mia.
Canadians also appeared to have a hard time rolling out the welcome mat for newcomers. Canada ranked 76 in the assessment of the actions of Canadians towards tourists.
The study aims to understand why some economies continue to prosper, while others are left behind. Travel and tourism is now a key factor in economic growth and development. According to the Global Competitiveness Network, international tourism garnered US$622.7 billion in 2004.
A high placement on the index bodes well for governments and can be used by potential investors for comparative analysis.
"Learnings from this report will allow industry to effectively and efficiently engage governments in creating blueprints for sustainable and viable travel & tourism industry development," said Thea Chiesa, head of aviation at the Travel and Tourism at the World Economic Forum.
To be deemed an attractive destination, the survey looked at: a country's travel and tourism regulatory framework; its travel and tourism business environment and infrastructure; and its tourism human, cultural and natural resources.
"Our study is not a 'beauty contest', or a statement about the attractiveness of a country," Jennifer Blanke, senior economist of the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Network, said in a written statement. "On the contrary, we aim to measure the factors that make it attractive to develop the travel and tourism industry of individual countries."
Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index:
1Switzerland 5.66
2Austria 5.54
3Germany 5.48
4Iceland 5.45
5United States 5.43
6Hong Kong SAR 5.33
7Canada 5.31
8Singapore 5.31
9Luxembourg 5.31
10United Kingdom 5.28
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070301/travel_study_070301/20070301?hub=Canada
Now I am glad to hear that Canada has ranked in the top 10. I find it even ironic how Canada has ranked even with Singapore, a country to which I plan on moving to in about 6 months time. Rather interesting, mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. It is nice to know that Canada has the 2nd best air in the world...yeah team! Nice to know all those nasty SUVs and pick up trucks that us westerners insist of driving around town haven't totally destroyed the air we have. I mean, it is a necessity cause you just never know when you are going to hit that big moose on the main street of Edmonton, Calgary or Vancouver and we all know how much of a pain in the ass it is to haul a whole dead moose in the back of a Yaris, now don't we?
Though one thing I find amazing is that out of 124 countries, Canada scores 120th in expense to live. Now, I am assuming that this means that the #1 spot is the cheapest country to live in and #124 is the most expensive. I guess that means that we are really expensive to live here. I just wonder if they take into consideration the income and pay that Canadians are making as a whole or if they are just looking at costs. I mean, if you come from a country that has no minimum wage, work in a job for $3/hour and save up your entire life to come to Canada for a visit and find yourself paying $13 for a complete McDonald's meal, then it might be considered expensive. But if you are living in Canada and making $14/hour as a common dishwasher with no education or experience, then a $13 meal at McDonald's really isnt that expensive. Hmmm, I wonder about that part of the questionaire/survey and see.
Though I will admit that we are horrible when it comes to treating tourists. There are some Canadians that will go out of their way to be friendly and courtious to some tourists, but we have to draw the line and sometimes we do get snippy. I mean, we can only say the phrase "no, Canadians don't all own guns, that would be the Americans, and no, I do not know your friend Tom from Toronto because I live in Edmonton and that is a little far away". Also, an even worse thing that I can suggest as to why Canadians are sometimes bad towards tourists is because there are times when we might take them for immigrants. We do seem to have this horrible way of thinking that when you come to Canada you should be able to keep your beliefs, your culture and your religion as long as it doesnt mess with the usual (or Canadian normal) way of life. So, you are free to wear your turbins, carry your knives, celebrate any sort of holiday and observe all types of interesting and fascinating religious beliefs BUT when it disrupts the day to day life of work and all, then it draws a line. So, if the work uniform dictates a helmet then no a turbin is not considered a helmet and it should be removed. Yes, carry your knives at home but leave them there when you go to the supermarket, work or school. Feel free to pray as often as your religion dictates but remember, a normal work day means a 15 minute coffee break in the morning, 30 - 60 minutes for lunch (depending on where you work) and 15 minute coffee break in the afternoon and these are set times to work with other peoples schedule so that all are accomodated. If prayer takes 20 minutes, then I am afraid you are out of luck because it would disrupt the work place. Anyways, horrible tangent rant there, but back to the topic. Yes, there are many times when immigrants come to Canada and then all of a sudden demand that Canadians bow to accomodate them because that whole 'freedom of religion, life' part of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. So there are some Canadians that look at anyone with an accent and instantly think "immigrant" so when we are asked where something is the first thing that they think is "you are living here, find it out yourself". I bet it would be soooo much easier, and Canadians would be sooo much friendlier to tourists, if 1) we werent so multicultural, or 2) didnt have so many people forcing ways of life on everyone else.
but, yeah, in the long run, way to go Canada! Ranking good. Let's just work on a few other spots and let's be number 1! or, at least, beat those Yanks!*G*
Canada ranks seventh on top 10 tourism list
Updated Thu. Mar. 1 2007 12:04 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Canada ranks seventh in a new international report released Thursday on the most desirable travel and tourism destinations.
The first ever Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report, issued by the World Economic Forum, ranks the most attractive environments for development in the travel and tourism industry around the world.
Canada tied with Singapore and Luxembourg out of the 124 countries surveyed, while Switzerland, Austria and Germany took the top three positions. Angola, Burundi and Chad rounded out the bottom three positions.
"I would say in general it is a very good assessment of Canada," Irene Mia, a senior economist with the World Economic Forum who helped prepare the report, told The Canadian Press from Geneva. "It's in the top 10."
Canada's illustrious showing was due in part to the excellent air (ranked second in the world) and ground transportation infrastructure. The continuing focus on travel and tourism across the country also bolstered the ranking.
Canada also boasts 13 World Heritage sites, which continue to draw tourists from around the world, as well as an educated and healthy tourism work force ready to meet the needs of travelers.
However, there are areas in need of improvement within the tourism industry. Canada's health and hygiene came in at the 38th spot, while the low concentration of doctors contributed to a rank of 48 within the physician density category.
The high standard of living also contributed to visitor woes. "When it comes to the cost of living in the country, Canada scores really bad -- 120th out of 124 countries -- very expensive," said Mia.
Canadians also appeared to have a hard time rolling out the welcome mat for newcomers. Canada ranked 76 in the assessment of the actions of Canadians towards tourists.
The study aims to understand why some economies continue to prosper, while others are left behind. Travel and tourism is now a key factor in economic growth and development. According to the Global Competitiveness Network, international tourism garnered US$622.7 billion in 2004.
A high placement on the index bodes well for governments and can be used by potential investors for comparative analysis.
"Learnings from this report will allow industry to effectively and efficiently engage governments in creating blueprints for sustainable and viable travel & tourism industry development," said Thea Chiesa, head of aviation at the Travel and Tourism at the World Economic Forum.
To be deemed an attractive destination, the survey looked at: a country's travel and tourism regulatory framework; its travel and tourism business environment and infrastructure; and its tourism human, cultural and natural resources.
"Our study is not a 'beauty contest', or a statement about the attractiveness of a country," Jennifer Blanke, senior economist of the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Network, said in a written statement. "On the contrary, we aim to measure the factors that make it attractive to develop the travel and tourism industry of individual countries."
Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index:
1Switzerland 5.66
2Austria 5.54
3Germany 5.48
4Iceland 5.45
5United States 5.43
6Hong Kong SAR 5.33
7Canada 5.31
8Singapore 5.31
9Luxembourg 5.31
10United Kingdom 5.28
posted by Capt_Canuck at 2:48 PM
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