Oh, Canada! BBC's Race Across the World raises hopes of tourist boom

Canada's tourism industry this week expressed hopes for a rise in UK visitors after the third series of BBC's Race Across the World launched to rave reviews.

- Shaun Petts

The reality show, in which five couples travel more than 9,000 miles from one side of Canada to another, on a shoestring and without flying, could be a boon to the country's recovering tourism sector.

Arrivals were down 40% in 2022 from their high in 2019, but there are hopes for a bump with British viewers inspired by the scenery and charmed by helpful Canadians.

This year is already looking better in Newfoundland and Labrador, said Candice Walsh of the province's department of tourism, who was "thrilled" to hear the race's finish line was in St John's. "We're hearing that bookings are coming in earlier than ever and numbers continue to rise close to 2019 levels."