Seattle businesses offer discount for Canadian visitors
Seattle has seen a significant drop in Canadian visitors, with Victoria Clipper tour visits down 58% in March and daily border crossings at Blaine falling from 5,000 in January to 1,800 in March. Seattle businessman Bob Donegan attributes this decline to Canadian frustration over tariffs and discussions about Washington becoming the 51st state.
Veteran civic leader and businessman Howard Wright echoed this sentiment, stating that the current situation is not how neighbors should treat each other, emphasizing the regional ties between Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and British Columbia within the Cascadia area.
To counteract the decline in Canadian visitors, local businesses, including Donegan and Wright, have launched a grassroots "Open Arms for Canada" campaign, offering significant discounts starting with the upcoming Blue Jays series.
Conveying a message of welcome and support, the "Open Arms for Canada" website tells Canadian neighbors they regret the US federal government's treatment. Businesses are offering a 30% discount by accepting the Canadian Dollar at par, emphasizing their appreciation for Canadian visitors and their solidarity. The site ends with a sentiment of understanding for Canadian frustration while maintaining a welcoming posture.
Leading the "Open Arms" initiative are prominent Seattle attractions and businesses such as Argosy Cruises, the Victoria Clipper, the Space Needle, Kenmore Air, and Ivar's. The growing list of participants also includes Ethan Stowell Restaurants, Spinasse, Artusi, Fremont Brewing, the Sheraton Grand, and numerous other hotels.
Donegan jokingly stated that proof of Canadian identity, even a Canadian accent, would suffice for the discount. However, he noted that data suggests a decline in Canadian travel for weeks, coinciding with President Trump's remarks about annexing Canada or imposing tariffs, issues that also played a significant role in recent Canadian elections.
Data from the Cascade Gateway and Western Washington University's Border Policy Research Institute reveals a dramatic decline in land border crossings. Canadian vehicle entries at Whatcom County crossings, including Blaine, were down 43% in March compared to the previous year, and this decrease has deepened to 52% in April so far (2024 to 2025).
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