Seattle businesses launch campaign to attract Canadian travellers

Businesses in Seattle, Wash., will be offering a deep discount to Canadians in an effort to lure travellers back.

Businesses in Seattle, Wash., will be offering a deep discount to Canadians amid calls to boycott travel to the U.S. in a display of unity against U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats on annexation and trade tariffs.

“This isn’t how we treat our neighbours. It’s not how I treat my neighbours,” says Seattle civic leader Howard Wright. “We welcome them with open arms. They may have elbows up. We have arms open.”

He was speaking to CTV affiliate KOMO News earlier this week about the new promotional campaign.

Starting May 9, when the Seattle Mariners host the Toronto Blue Jays, the ‘Open Arms for our Canadian Friends’ campaign will see businesses taking the Canadian dollar at par, marking a 30 per cent discount for customers. So far, 30 businesses have pledged participation, including hotels, tourist attractions, restaurants and the FRS Clipper ferry.

“You gotta do what you gotta do to get business right? I don’t see anything wrong with it,” says Richard Williams who was visiting Victoria from London, Ont.

“It’s been a long time since the Canadian dollar’s been on par with the U.S. dollar,” says Lisa McClary. The White Rock, B.C., resident says she would consider taking advantage of the promotional offer – given the opportunity to support a Canadian team. And she believes the exchange rate is part of the reason for declines in cross-border travel to the U.S.

According to FRS Clipper, traffic originating in Canada is down 30 to 35 per cent, compared to a seven to 10 per cent drop from the U.S.

“If they show a driver’s licence or a passport or if they use their Canadian accent ‘eh’ – we’ll accept that,” Ivar CEO Bob Donegan told KOMO News.

As part of efforts to resolve the trade war with the Trump administration, B.C.’s premier has repeatedly called on Canadians to re-think non-essential travel to the U.S. and buying goods from south of the border.