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Canadians spent more on tourism during the first quarter of 2008, but they spent their money at home.

Recently released Statistics Canada figures show that while tourism spending rose 1.3 per cent this year, it was Canadians travelling in Canada who were fuelling the industry.

Spending by international visitors fell 1.9 per cent, the 10th quarterly decline since the fourth quarter of 2004.

Higher fuel prices and severe winter weather are blamed for United States visitors cutting back their travel to Canada.

Nor are past trends for frequent cross-border visits holding true. Statistics Canada found that fewer Canadians were making same-day or overnight trips to the U.S. and the same held true for Americans coming to Canada.

Outlays on air, rail and bus transportation were all up, despite higher fuel prices and severe winter weather.

The figures aren't a surprise to Tourism Industry Association of New Brunswick executive-director Real Robichaud.

The exchange rate is another factor keeping U.S. visitors at home, he said. So is the fact it's a presidential election year, which is historically a year when Americans stick close to home, Robichaud said.

During the last two or three years, U.S. visits to Canada have declined 10-12 per cent, he said.

But there are anomalies in the tourism marketplace.

"In the cruise ship industry, Saint John is doing excellent this year," Robichaud said.

And many of those travellers are U.S. visitors, he said.

Quebec, which is a strong market for New Brunswick summer vacations, will be down this year because of the 400th anniversary of Quebec City and associated provincial celebrations, Robichaud said.

More Quebecers are returning to their favourite U.S. haunts of Old Orchard Beach and Ogunquit in Maine, he said.

Quebec is also a weather-dependent market and with June's rains, it has discouraged the three to five-day trips from Quebec into New Brunswick.

The latest trend toward education-based, or learning, vacations is doing well and most of it is grounded in research and consumer profiling that measures what repeat visitors want.

Overall, Robichaud said he expects New Brunswick tourism operators to hold their own this summer.

Fluctuating gasoline prices mean people are centralizing their stays and making shorter half-day and day trips or taking mini-vacations to cut costs, he said.

Fredericton's flights to and from the United Kingdom are another positive for the city and the province.

"The international market is the emerging market. We've been in there (Europe) for a certain number of years ... It's not something that's done overnight," Robichaud said.

The tourism industry association is the voice of the private tourism and hospitality sector in New Brunswick.