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Tourist spotting in Canada is not very difficult to do. All you have to do is look out for a few signs that differentiate them from the rest and you’ll know that they’re tourists and not locals. Here are a few noticeable features of tourists:

1. They’re the ones with cameras slung around their necks:

No tourist worth his or her salt is going to go vacationing without a camera. How else will they capture the gorgeous natural scenery of the Canadian Rockies or the panorama offered by the Niagara Falls? That would also mean that they wouldn’t be able to share pictures of their latest trip with friends, family and neighbors. Look for a camera!

2. They’re the ones who are anxiously asking for directions:

The mark of a tourist is that he or she will always be looking lost and will be asking passers-by for directions to Tourist Attraction X or Tourist Hangout Y. Any directions you give, however succinct, will still leave them confused enough to ask the next passerby for further guidance. It’s a compulsive tourist disorder. So those living in the vicinity of the CN Tower in Toronto or any other famous attraction should be used to it.

3. They’re the ones togged up like they’re on a picnic:

Sunglasses (even if it’s not sunny), caps, a traveler’s pouch firmly clasped around the waist and hardy shoes – these are the accessories of choice for the traveler who’s going to enjoy Canada’s natural beauty. If you humans thus bedecked in the surrounding areas of Banff National Park, you can safely assume that they’re definitely tourists.

4. They’re the ones who are always looking for restaurants nearby:

Seeing the sights always makes one hungry. Whether it’s the lone college-going backpacker or a family of four, the one thing tourists need to keep up their energy is great food. They won’t ask you to recommend a good restaurant in the middle of their sightseeing day – they’ll ask you to recommend the closest restaurant that offers quick service!

5. They’re the ones who look haggard and spent:

The one visible sign of a tourist up close is that they’re bound to have tired expressions on their faces with possibly puffy eyes. A traveler is often exhausted at the end of the day but the accommodation they choose may also not be conducive to sleep. The reason could be the unfamiliar environment or the bed bugs, depending on the place they’ve chosen. Be sympathetic!

6. They’re the ones referring to travel-related material:

It’s not tough to discern maps, travel guides and Lonely Planet publications in the hands of seasoned tourists. The paranoid ones constantly refer to these handy references while the more insouciant ones simply stroll around. It’s not uncommon to find them reading up on Montreal’s quaint cafes, for example, and deciding which one would best suit their needs. Those who are shopaholics will refer to the Lonely Planet for Canada to find places to shop or local shopping guides that will point them to Le Rue Petit Champlain in Quebec City.

7. They’re the ones who are eagerly discussing the places they’ve been to and will go to soon:

It is the rare traveler who does not compare notes with all and sundry about the famous tourist spots he or she has been to and the tourist attractions that are still on the list of places to be visited next. Particularly garrulous tourist co-passengers on local transport will insist on telling you all about their extensive travel plan and woe betide you if you show the faintest of interest in the conversation or inadvertently mention that you’ve been to any of the places mentioned by them!

A combination of the above signs will differentiate most tourists from the madding crowd. Any tourist who doesn’t show at least two of the signs is probably going off the beaten track and discovering Canada on his or her own. Alternatively, they could just be visiting relatives or turn out to be your new next-door neighbor. Welcome them – after all, they’re all there to appreciate what a wonderful country Canada is. Happy Tourist Spotting!

Haven’t been to Canada yet? Why not visit this fall itself! If you are looking for a place which offers cheap flights you might want to check FlightNetwork.com. FlightNetwork.com seems to have good deals on cheap flights to Toronto. We booked tickets there and were not disappointed.

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