1.   A sharp drop in air travel has hit tourism, an important source of foreign exchange.

2.   Since the spread of Asian economic flu through Japan and other Pacific countries over the past year, Canadian tourism has been hit hard.

3.   Air traffic and shipping were either hindered or disrupted, and tourism was severely hit.

4.   Rural tourism has been hit hard.

5.   Retailers have also complained of slumping sales as the regional financial crisis hit tourism.

6.   Tourism was hit too.

7.   Less rain would also mean less water for hydro-electric production and would hit tourism, Markham added.