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66 Canada
exploration and overland migration into undeveloped
territory began in the 1870s, with
individuals and groups venturing into the wilderness
by foot, horseback or small boats. The
growing popularity of the automobile stimulated an
expansion of relatively long-distance vacation
camping in North America following the First
World War. Public and private campgrounds and
travel trailer parks developed to serve this increasingly
mobile population. However, it was not until
the years following the Second World War that
vacation camping became a commonly popular
activity, in North America, Europe and elsewhere.
Organised camping aimed at educational and
socially therapeutic goals, frequently referred to as
`the camping movement,' originated under the
sponsorship of schools and religious institutions in
the mid-nineteenth century. These camps, usually
conducted in the summer months for children and
young adults, may be associated with organised
youth groups, operated by public recreational and
educational agencies, or private enterprise. Specialised
camps may be organised around themes such
as environmental education, the rehabilitation of
emotionally troubled or physically handicapped
persons, work±skill training, or instruction in
computer use, mathematics, sciences or music.
Canada
MARY LEE NOLAN, USA
TOM BROXON, USA
Canada, a country with two official languages
�English and French), combines a relatively small
but ethnically diverse population of 29.3 million
people with the thirteenth largest economy and the
second largest geographical area in the world. The
combination of a generally prosperous and cosmopolitan
population, geographic grandeur, cultural
variation, well-developed infrastructure, proximity
to the United States and ties to Europe and
Asia make this country both a leading origin and
destination for international tourism. Like
its neighbours, Canada is more a continent than a
country. The landscape is a collage of different
environments ± mountain, prairie, forest, farmland,
marine and tundra ± spread over 10 million
square kilometres in ten provinces and three
territories.
Canada's proximity to the United States is a
major influence on tourism development and
patterns. Canada is the nearest international
destination for the majority of the US population.
The converse is true for Canadians: most live
within 250 kilometres of the US border. They form
an ethnic mosaic as diverse as the land itself. More
than ninety distinct cultural groups, from Indians
and Inuit through descendants of French and
British pioneers to recent immigrants from Asia,
constitute the social fabric.
Canada's tourism products compare favourably
with those of its international competition, with key
strengths in products that relate closely to its scenic
natural resources. Two out of three of Canada's
globally competitive product categories rely heavily
on its natural scenery: wilderness �for example,
Baffin-Pangnirtung or Nahanni River), resorts
�such as Mount Tremblant, Banff or Whistler) and
urban centres �including Toronto, Montreal and
Vancouver).
According to the World Tourism Organization
�1996), Canada accounts for 3 per cent of
international tourist arrivals and 2 per cent of
receipts. In 1995, Canada earned $11 billion from
sales of both goods and services to 17 million
international visitors, making tourism one of the
most important exports for the country. US visitors
account for about 75 per cent of foreign arrivals.
While the number of Americans visiting Canada
has increased modestly in recent years, their
market share has dropped considerably from the
1970s when they accounted for almost 90 per cent
of all international arrivals. By contrast, Asian
market shares, especially from Japan, Taiwan and
South Korea, have been rising rapidly. Increases
in European market share have not been as great
as from Asia, but Europe, especially the United
Kingdom, France and Germany, remains an
important market for Canada.
Canada also accounts for approximately 3 per
cent of international tourist departures and expenditures.
In 1995, Canadians spent about $14
billion on purchases of both goods and services
involving 18 million international visits, making
tourism one of the most important imports for the
country. About 80 per cent of all Canadians visit