The Grand Canyon provides a perfect backdrop for trail rides.

anadians are important to American tourist boards, so many of them have launched discount programs to lure us and our loonies across the border.

Here are just a few examples of deals designed specifically for Canadians during fall and winter 1999/2000.

Arizona
'Canadian Cactus Days' offer some dollar-at-par deals as well as discounts from hundreds of Arizona businesses of 10 per cent or more on accommodations, sports activities, restaurants, shopping, tours, and more. Call (800) 211-3883, or visit www.arizonaguide.com.

Florida's Englewood Beach is within easy reach of Port Charlotte, Naples, Venice, and Sanibel Island.

Florida
'Canadian Sunshine Days' offers state-wide discounts on accommodations, car rentals, events, and restaurants. Call (888) 352-4636 for your free Florida travel guide and coupon booklet.

Pennsylvania
The Keystone State has just introduced its 'Passport to $aving$' program for Canadian travellers. Deals and savings offered by more than 230 participating businesses include 'Canadian dollar at par' and up to 50 per cent off rooms (with minimum stay) in hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfasts, and campgrounds, and two-for-one admission to attractions. Call (800) 847-4872.

Brownsville, Texas straddles both Mexican and Wild West cultures.

Texas
Last year's 'Buckaroo Buck$' program was so successful that Texas Tourism is continuing this state-wide travel program for Canadians. Savings, featured in a bilingual coupon booklet, include discounts on accommodations, attractions, restaurants, and shopping. Visit www.traveltex.com or call (800) 888-8839.

Virginia
Virginia has always been for lovers, but now it's for Canadians, too. Get your copy of its 'Loonie Savers' booklet, filled with 'two-for-one' and '50 per cent off' coupons at 32 places to stay, play, and eat by calling (800) 932 5827, Ext. A38.

More help for your pocketbook
Most tourist areas across the United States offer deals of some kind. They may be found in packages, as individual items, or clustered in visitors' guides and coupon books. Contacting local tourist boards, chambers of commerce, visitors' and convention bureaus, your travel club, or browsing the Web will usually unearth them. Here are a few more examples of what our search turned up:

1. Travel South USA has pulled together, from state visitor guides, a list of all the 'free and interesting things to do in the South'—from Alabama to West Virginia. Call (404) 231-1790 or e-mail tsusa@mindspring.com.

2. The Missouri Travel Guide contains discount coupons for attractions, accommodations, and restaurants. For your copy, call (800) 877-1234.

3. Nevada's Discover Nevada Bonus Book has more than $2,000 worth of coupons, along with maps and other useful information about the state. Call (800) 638-2328 or www.travelnevada.com.

4. The Kentucky Coupon Book features discounts on restaurants, attractions, and accommodations. Many of the discounts are on or near the major interstate highways, I-75 and I-71. Call (800) 225-8747.

5. Louisiana is continuing its popular tax-free shopping program for international visitors, with hundreds of merchants in 'shopping zones' participating. Canadians need show only their drivers' licences or birth certificates when making purchases in these zones, get tax-refund vouchers and sales receipts, then redeem vouchers at designated refund centres. Call (504) 568-5323 or e-mail LTFS@bellsouth.net.

6. Fort Lauderdale Waterfront Inns offer special discounts on car rentals, accommodations, restaurants, sightseeing, and events. Visit www.waterfrontinns.com for details.

7. The Kissimmee-St. Cloud vacation guide is filled with discount coupons for more than 100 attractions and accommodations. Call Kissimmee-St. Cloud at (800) 327-9159.

Back to top