TUCSON, Ariz. — For those hoping that Arizona's suddenly sputtering economy could stay as warm as its seemingly endless summer, help is on the way from colder climes.

Like Canada.

Tourism officials expect to see a continued growing influx of Canadian visitors during the waning weeks of autumn and across the winter, possibly stronger than ever because their money is worth more this year than the U.S. dollar for the first time in the past 30 years.

The Canadian dollar was trading at $1.01 at one point in late November, or 63 percent more than the all-time low 61.79 cents it was valued at in January 2002.

"We expect more Canadians this year," said Bob Ingram, executive director of the Yuma Visitors Bureau. "We are optimistic about it."

Metropolitan Yuma's population of 180,000 has swelled the past few winters to about 300,000, with snowbirds flocking in from across the West Coast and from the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta.

Last year, 496,300 Canadians spent time in Arizona, up 17.4 percent from 423,000 in 2005, and nearly double the 255,000 Canadians who visited the state in 2002.

Mexico and Canada continue to provide the most visitors to Arizona, followed by Britain, Germany, other European countries and Japan.

Many Europeans come to experience the Arizona summer, while viewing the Grand Canyon is the top priority for a large number of Japanese.