CANADA: Travel Health Notice - Zika virus

Risk level(s)
UNITED STATES - Exercise normal security precautions

There is no nationwide advisory in effect for the United States (U.S.). Exercise normal security precautions.

Travel Health Notice - Zika virus

The Public Health Agency of Canada has issued a Travel Health Notice for the Global Update: Zika virus infection recommending that Canadians practise special health precautions while travelling in affected countries. Pregnant women and those considering becoming pregnant should avoid travel to the affected areas of Florida (see Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) map) and Texas (see CDC map). See Health for more information.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. The Government of Canada takes the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provides credible and timely information in its Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad. In the event of a large-scale emergency, every effort will be made to provide assistance. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

See Large-scale emergencies abroad for more information.

Large-scale emergencies abroad

If your destination is affected by a large-scale emergency, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, the Government of Canada will send out updated information and advisories through its website, social media accounts, by email and in some cases, by phone and SMS.

The Government of Canada may also, as a last resort, help Canadians with transportation to the nearest safe location on a cost-recovery basis when all other means of commercial and personal transportation have been exhausted. Canada sometimes coordinates evacuation assistance with other countries such as Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.

If you receive evacuation assistance from the Government of Canada, you will receive an invoice for the cost, which must be paid within 30 days. You are also responsible for paying for your travel beyond a safe location and any related costs.

Limitations

There may be constraints on government resources that limit the ability of the Government of Canada to help you during a large-scale emergency abroad, particularly in countries with a high potential for violent conflict or political instability, or countries or regions recently affected by a natural disaster.

In some cases, our ability to provide services may also be affected by the laws and regulations of other countries.

Before you go

Before you travel to or remain in a country affected by a large-scale emergency, consult our Travel Advice and Advisories for your destination and carefully evaluate how the situation in the country may affect your security and safety. If a Travel Advisory is issued, your travel insurance coverage may be affected.

Sign up with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service so that our representatives can contact and assist you in case of an emergency in a foreign country.

Leave a detailed travel itinerary and contact details with family or friends.

Provide family or friends with the telephone number for our Emergency Watch and Response Centre, and carry the contact information for the Canadian embassies and consulates serving the countries you plan to visit.

Prepare a basic emergency kit so that you will be prepared to be self-sufficient for a minimum of 72 hours.

If your destination is affected by a large-scale emergency

Contact your family and friends as soon as you can, even if you have not been affected, and continue to update them on your situation until you leave the affected area.
If you find yourself in a deteriorating situation abroad, you should consider leaving by commercial means if you can do so safely.
Monitor local news for the latest information on the situation and follow the instructions of local authorities.
In case of civil unrest, keep a low profile and avoid demonstrations and large gatherings.
Call the closest Canadian office serving your location if you need consular help. If the office is closed, your call will be transferred to the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa. The centre operates 24/7 and may also be reached directly at +1 613 996 8885 (collect calls are accepted) or by email at sos@international.gc.ca.

CANADA: Travel Alberta Increases U.S. Campaign With $10B Tourism Goal By 2020

After a “strong” summer for tourism in the province, Travel Alberta is hoping to grow tourism to $10 billion by 2020.

Spokesperson Jennifer Anderson said tourism is currently an $8-billion industry that supports 127,000 jobs in Alberta.

She said the United States is still the province’s largest international market, and pointed to an opportunity for increasing visitation and spending from the $703 million American visitors contributed in 2013.

Travel Alberta noted the exchange rate is contributing to a greater value for their dollar north of the border, and highlighted a digital platform that appeals to people who increasingly book trips online.

Travel Alberta, Tourism Calgary and Destination Calgary are promoting specifically to people in Texas, California and New York with a campaign that launched Oct. 1.

Anderson said U.S. visitation is already up, with drivers from U.S. to Alberta increasing by five-and-a-half per cent in Aug. 2014.

She added summer 2015 was “strong” in Alberta, with national park attendance up more than five per cent; Waterton up 14.6 per cent; and historical sites and museum visitation up 23.7 per cent. But two places didn’t see a boost in numbers: hotel occupancy rates in Calgary and Edmonton are down.

However, Anderson said “winter tourism providers” are seeing strong numbers from the U.S. compared to this time last year, and pointed to lower occupancy rates and early booking incentives.

“Hotel operators in our resort towns are reporting strong bookings for 2016,” said Anderson in an email. “Winter experience providers and ski operators are also reporting strong numbers for winter 2015-16.”