Citation

Bradbury SL. J. Transp. Geogr. 2013; 26: 139-146.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2012.08.009

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Since September 11, 2001 numerous security measures have been implemented along the Canada-US border, including the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). Concerns have been raised about the impact of these security measures on the movement of people across the border. This paper examines the impact of security on the number of travelers crossing the border by employing a multivariate regression analysis utilizing monthly data from January 1991 to December 2007. In addition, the impact of the WHTI is specifically examined by employing a similar multivariate regression analysis with monthly data from October 2001 to December 2011. Controlling for the effects of a number of factors, such as exchange rates and gas prices, results showed that security measures, including the WHTI, have negatively impacted the number of Canadian visitors to the US and American visitors to Canada traveling by automobile. The findings of this study will be of interest to researchers, policy makers, and a variety of stakeholders in the tourism industry in both countries.