I think the fundamental reason why Americans don't travel abroad is because the country is large and geographically diverse enough to have a lot of domestic tourist attractions while being a long expensive plane ride from safe, mainstream foreign destinations that aren't Cancun or Montego Bay or wherever the cruise ships like to stop. Also Americans don't get as much time off or paid vacation as Europeans.
If you are Canadian, you have to go to the US if you want to experience warm weather beaches, Disney Land/World, visit iconic big cities like NY, etc.
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What do you consider the "tourist regions" of Canada? Most Americans visiting probably go to cities but most travellers going to any country probably go to its cities.
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Just a guess, but its gotta be BC considering how popular cruises are. Its got the most iconic landscape and natural wonders that people associate with Canada.
Toronto and Montreal are cool but unless you lived in Michigan or Upstate NY/Northern New England and had the opportunity to make a short road trip would you spend a lot of money on a family vacation to see them?
This is probably why fewer Americans go to Canada than vice versa. Not saying there isn't a lot to see in Canada but I imagine its skewed towards one or two huge heavyweight destinations, like the Pacific Northwest coast, rather than a bunch of smaller places it takes more than one visit to see?
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I also think it would be more interesting to know how many Americans had been to "real Mexico" (for lack of a better term), not including the resorts like Cancun, Cabo, etc. I would reckon that VERY few Americans without family in Mexico have been to places that are actually Mexican, or for reasons other than hot weather and cheap booze.
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Probably a perception that Mexico is not hospitable to mainstream tourists who aren't conversationally fluent in the language and culture and also have some sort of personal guide or contact to explain where to go and what to do?
I don't know Anthony Bourdain personally so no I haven't been to Cd. Neza or Ectapec to personally try the fried rat tacos and mole flavored pulque, but I'll take your word for it.