Expert: Canadians still heading to Arizona despite lagging loonie

PHOENIX — Canada’s dollar is declining but Arizona experts believe it will not substantially impact the state’s tourism industry.

Canadian economists are warning travelers that they will not get as much bang for their buck — or in this case, their loonie — if they visit the U.S.  after the Canadian dollar dropped in value.

Glenn Williamson, founder and CEO of the Canada Arizona Business Council, said he is not concerned.

“This is not an unusual event that has occurred it happens every decade or so where the loonie slips down or the American dollar slips up.

Williamson said Canadians have a “love affair” with Arizona and a lagging loonie is not going to get in the way of that.

According to the Arizona Office of Tourism, the state saw nearly 900,000 overnight Canadian visitors last year.

“We’ve had a steady incline in Canadian visitors and many of those will, this coming year or two, be Canadians that already have assets in this neck of the woods,” Williamson said. “They are still continuing to show their support by bringing their wallets to this state.”