The kids are out of school, the temperature is slowly rising and the lazy summer days are upon us. For many, this means one thing: it's vacation season. Every summer, many Canadian families choose to visit different parts of the country, the continent or the globe in search of adventure and new experiences.

This year, Canadians intend to continue travelling despite the economic downturn. In a recent study, 52 per cent of Canadians said that the social and economic climate of the past 12 months has not affected their willingness to travel, while less than a quarter (23 percent) reported that they are less willing to travel1.

"Even though it has been a tough year in the economy, we don't want to sacrifice our summer vacation," said Morgan Johns, a father of two from Mississauga. "We will probably be a bit more restrained this year though," he added.

This sentiment is echoed in the survey's findings. Canadian travellers are choosing to remain closer to home, with the United States, the Caribbean and Mexico identified as the top destinations by survey respondents. In addition, 92 percent reported that their travel in the next two years is likely to be basic/standard cost or economy/lower class travel.

They survey also showed that credit cards are by far the most popular method of payment for vacationers. Sixty-two percent of Canadian respondents prefer to use a credit card when travelling, while just 16 percent prefer to pay with cash and 11 percent use travellers cheques.

As Canadians head out on the road, taking a few simple steps can bring peace of mind while travelling:

Alert your financial institution – If you are going to leave the country during your vacation, contact your financial institution to let them know that you plan to use your credit card internationally. Out of the ordinary shopping patterns, particularly outside of Canada, may trigger a fraud alert.

Know your Personal Identification Number (PIN) - Many countries around the world have migrated to chip and PIN technology. If you have a chip and PIN card, select a difficult password that does not include predictable numbers like your birth date or telephone number. Never share your PIN with anyone.

Record your own information – It's a good idea to keep a secondary record of your key ID documents and payment card numbers with you when you travel. That way, in the event of a lost or stolen wallet, you will have the numbers of your cards, passport and other ID, making reporting the missing documents quicker and easier.

Review insurances available on your card - Different cards come with different levels of insurance coverage for travellers, such as lost baggage insurance or car rental insurance. Review your cardholder agreement to determine what is covered.

Take advantage of travel perks - Certain Visa cards, such as the Visa Infinite card, offer special experiences both at home and internationally. Visa Infinite's concierge service can help you access great restaurants, shows and attractions all over the world – check your financial institution’s Visa Infinite website for more information.

_________________________
1 Source: Global Market Insite, 2009.

- 30 -

Dan Madge
Senior Consultant
Fleishman Hillard
1.416.645.8188