A study released Friday by the Canadian Tourism Commission examined the willingness of American travelers to consider Canada. At the top of the list of potential barriers to Canada travel included "bad weather" and "other and more exotic places to go." A tourism lobbying group, the Travel Industry Association of Canada found that the responses indicated that more marketing funds were required to change Americans' perceptions about Canada. "We can only [change perceptions] by marketing ourselves effectively," said TIAC President Randy Williams in a statement. TIAC wants the Canadian government to give the CTC an additional $100 million per year. "Tourism is a key driver of economic growth and wealth creation," added Williams, "thus tourism marketing is an investment, not an expense."
