Amid cross-border tensions, B.C. tourism sector worries about becoming ‘political football’

Ahead of the long weekend David Eby urged British Columbians to continue avoiding travel south of the border.

B.C. Premier David Eby doubled down Thursday on calls for residents to resist travel to the U.S.

“I’m not ready to go to the states,” Eby told reporters Thursday, in a news conference where he continued to promote travelling locally and buying Canadian products.

Eby reiterated that message despite meeting with California Governor Gavin Newsom on Tuesday, after which Newsom released an online video pleading with Canadians to continue visiting his state.

Eby said many British Columbians and Canadians share his sentiment.

“Flights to the United States have dropped off a cliff,” he said.

Flight Centre told CTV News bookings to the U.S. dropped 40 per cent in March. Black Ball Ferry Line, which operates the Coho ferry between Victoria and Port Angeles, confirmed business from Canadians is down approximately the same amount.

American tourists appear to be undeterred, however, travelling to B.C. in higher numbers so far this year than last.

Even Canadian businesses are cancelling trips to the U.S., despite lost deposits, with some of them rebooking conferences in Victoria.

“We are seeing what were calling ‘repatriation’ of Canadian conferences, events and incentive programs – incentive programs (such as) rewarding top sales people,” said Paul Nursey with Destination Greater Victoria.

But despite this positive news, there is a growing concern in the tourism sector that Eby’s message could lead to a backlash.

“None of this is good in the long term when an industry becomes a political football,” said Nursey Thursday.

Canadians’ reluctance to travel south may have a chilling effect on Americans coming here, worries Burles.

“The risk is when people say don’t travel to the States, then obviously people in the states could say then don’t travel to Canada,” he said.