They represent gold to the local hotel industry.

Local sports tournaments and the visitors they draw are helping to hedge against weakened business travel and a bleak forecast for Canadian hotels in 2008.

A survey of area hoteliers reveals the same trend -- sports tournaments are accounting for a bigger piece of the hotel sector pie. Generally, they are booked solid for events like these.

"I wouldn't quite say it's our bread and butter but it is the gravy," said Subasch Ramkissoon, general manager of Residence Inn by Marriott in Whitby, commenting on the area's sports events like hockey tournaments that bring athletes and their parents.

"January and February were tremendous months with a lot of hockey tournaments. Nearly every weekend there was something."

Corporate clients still tend to make up the biggest visitors for the Marriott property which has 122 suites.

The Conference Board of Canada reported recently that Canada's hoteliers can expect profits to drop by almost 26 per cent to $822 million in 2008, due to the continued decline in spending by American tourists.

"The ongoing strength of the dollar is making Canada a relatively more expensive destination for tourists from around the world," said Alex Fritsche, senior economist, in a news release.

"At the same time, the strong dollar means the number of Canadians travelling outside of the country is increasing at a faster rate than the number of Canadians travelling at home."

Syed Gardezi, general manager of the Hilton Garden Inn Toronto-Ajax, says hockey tournaments help but they are coming to a close at this time of year. Because of their relatively high room rates the Hilton doesn't attract as many as some hotels. They are more concerned about a major drop in leisure travellers most of whom are from New York and Michigan.

"We are brainstorming new ideas including offering stay-and-golf packages with local golf facilities," he said.

Overall growth in the first quarter compared to last year is 20 per cent. It helps that they are new, have a banquet hall available for smaller weddings and there is a new convention centre located beside them.

Adam Klukowski, general manager of the 93-room Holiday Inn Express Whitby, said sports-related visits are an important part of their business, although business clients are bigger comprising 85 per cent of visits. He doesn't expect a sharp decline.

"Overall, I'm not surprised by the 26 per cent (anticipated drop in hotel profits). There is less leisure traffic so we will all feel it," he said. "With the strong Canadian dollar, U.S. travel has dropped. It's a common concern on the leisure side."

With the absence of a "demand generator" like a Wonderland that would draw Americans for overnight stays, the area is less sensitive to the loonie's rise that makes Canada less attractive to U.S. bargain hunters looking for a discounted travel opportunity.

A snowy March was a slower month locally, several local hotel operators said.

Having Easter fall in March which already has the March break, cut into profits as corporate travellers tend to visit less during these periods. Toronto hotels, which depend more on out-of-country visitors, will be more sensitive to the U.S. economic downturn, they said.

Kerri King, tourism manager for Durham Region, said her department is working closely with local hotels to generate a more steady stream of tourism activity.

At certain times like major sporting events, "everything is booked solid" but the potential is there to encourage more overnight visits that generate increased economic activity in restaurants and other businesses.

Legends Centre in Oshawa hosts 16 to 18 sports tournaments during hockey season, for example. Tournaments range about 80 to 160 teams. Many are from out of town and bring participants' family members with them.

When families coming into town are aware of local events and activities they might be more inclined to stay the night.

The region is looking to develop a sport tourism strategy targeting such travellers.

"A lot of what we are doing involves creating a strong marketing arm," said Ms. King, adding that marketing through their website durhamtourism.ca is one tool they are using to generate interest.