Latest news with #KalispellChamberof
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Discover Kalispell halts promotions in Canada as tourism outlook remains rocky
May 23—Discover Kalispell has ceased advertising in Canada amid trepidation from visitors north of the border to travel to the U.S. Businesses are beginning to feel the pinch of decreased visitation and bookings ahead of the busy summer season as a result of strained relationships between the two countries, Discover Kalispell Executive Director Diane Medler said during the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce luncheon Tuesday at the Red Lion. "We need signals from both governments that cross border friendships and our economic partners matter, and without that no amount of marketing is going to help that right now," she said. As the tourism bureau of the chamber, Discover Kalispell received negative feedback from its promotions in Canada and so decided it was not appropriate timing to be advertising. Hotels have reported cancelations from Canadian sports teams and, Medler said, one tour group nixed its reservation for 70 rooms and a 200-person dinner, which translates to a $38,000 loss in revenue. "We are receiving messages from our longtime followers that they are staying home for now and we respect that," she said. "But we want them to know that we want to maintain that person to person connection and hope they decide to come back again soon." President Donald Trump earlier this year implemented a 25% tariff on some imports from Canada after previously saying Canada should become the 51st state. Canada has strongly pushed back against the idea that it should join its southern neighbor and in response to U.S. tariffs imposed its own 25% tariff on goods from the United States There was a 22% decrease in crossings at the Roosville Border Crossing near Eureka, a 46% decrease in credit card spending in Kalispell by Canadians and a 73% decrease in hotel bookings from Canada to Montana this winter and spring, Medler reported. "I think that the numbers are showing that we're going to see such a decline this summer from Canada that we're hoping domestic travel fills in those decreases, but also with economic concerns it's kind of a wait and see," Medler said. In Flathead County, 2.8 million visitors in 2023 spent more than $1 billion. Most visitors come here from other areas of Montana, Minnesota, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Colorado, Alberta, Texas, Canada and Arizona. Canada is the top source of international visitors to the Unites States generating $20.5 billion in spending last year, according to the U.S. Travel Association. But it's not just Canadian visitors who are altering plans. Travelers are being more cautious in planning upcoming trips with 70% expected to change their travel behavior to deal with economic concerns, according to Medler. Visitors are choosing to drive to their destination rather than fly, cutting back on the number of trips and shortening the length of trips. "The economic uncertainty is having its impacts on travelers," Medler said. "The data is showing that travelers are being very careful with their money due to recession fears." Nonresident tourists coming to Montana spent $5.82 billion in the state during 2022 and 2023, according to the Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research at the University of Montana. The total regional economic impact of nonresident spending in Flathead County is $942.2 million, according to the institute. Visitors from Canada made up 8% of all visitors to Montana in 2023. Tourism brings about 14,000 jobs to the Flathead, Medler noted, making it imperative that Discover Kalispell continue its balance of stewardship while aiming to increase non-summer season visitation. "It's important for all our businesses to create a more stable year-round tourism economy so we promote highlighting visitation outside of the summer months and also to drive visitors coming here for group events and sports," she said. "If we didn't have such a robust economy through tourism, we wouldn't have many of the resources that we enjoy such as expanded retail or places like the Wachholz College Center to host larger events." In Flathead County in 2023, the largest percentage of visitor dollars was spent on restaurants and bars at 23.5% which translates to $201 million. Visitor spending at outfitters and guides was 17.8%, while 15% was spent on hotels and 12.5% was spent on fuel. Looking out over the next decade, the U.S. Travel Association has identified the potential for a surge of visitation coinciding with the 2026 FIFA World Cup, 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the 2025 Ryder Cup and America's 250th anniversary. Some 40 million international travelers are expected because of the events and with some of the host cities having direct flights to Kalispell there is likely going to be a spill-over effect, Medler points out. "We will definitely see some residual pre and post residual travel from those events," she said. "People are going to definitely want to come to Montana when they are so close to our state." Deputy Editor Heidi Desch may be reached at 758-4421 or hdesch@
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Transformation of Kalispell Center Mall aims to make it a downtown destination
May 11—Future plans for the Kalispell Center Mall include redesigning the Main Street property to include an event space, new retail spots, restaurants, and potentially adding a national grocery chain as part of a vision to make it an "active18-hour spot." "It's an asset that's been under-utilized for a good bit of time," said John Doubleday with SHOP Companies, the Texas company that acquired the mall last year. Showing a mockup featuring the redesign of the 7 acres of the west side of the site at the May 8 Kalispell Chamber of Commerce Growth Summit, Doubleday gave a glimpse into the future of what the property along the Parkline Trail might look like. The concept includes the event space that could play host to music events, the future location for the Flathead County Library on the northwest corner of the property and a hotel. Multi-family and retail spaces, along with park space, would make up the rest of the western portion of the property. The company is in conversation with Glacier Art Museum about creating an outdoor sculpture garden as part of the park. The demolition of the former Herberger's would make way for new developments. A good portion of the mall would remain with the existing JCPenney space and the Red Lion Hotel. Doubleday said that the Red Lion Hotel has been responsive to talks about making improvements. Pointing to the Parkline Trail as an asset to the mall and downtown, Doubleday painted a picture of the mall becoming a place to take a yoga class in the morning and return in the evening to grab a beer at the brewery. Changes to the mall will look to bring in "great coffee, great food and a brewery to take advantage of the connection with the Parkline Trail," he said. While Doubleday shied away from an official announcement of what retailers might join the mall, he did say that Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe's have shown interest. While there is no definitive timeline, Doubleday said the plan is to work "as fast as possible." "The largest hurdle normally for something like this is community enthusiasm, right?" Doubleday said. "But that's not an issue here at all. What makes Kalispell great, I mean the list is longer than my arm, but one of the things is the purpose and the passion of the people that are here and how much they care about their community." SHOP Companies also recently closed on the Whitefish Mountain Center, which Doubleday said would provide benefits in attracting retailers that want to have locations in both cities. LOOKING TO the rest of Main Street and downtown, business leaders pointed to challenges like limited restaurants and nightlife to overcome in increasing activity in the city's core. City plans to potentially redesign Main Street by reducing the road to three lanes thus increasing sidewalk width for improved pedestrian access and outdoor space could lead to increased commercial activity, but more needs to be done to ensure vacant buildings are filled, speakers said. Kisa Davison, with the Kalispell Business Improvement District, challenged those in attendance to find ways to make the downtown more vibrant. "If we don't take action, we're going to get more of what we have, which is a dying downtown," she said. "Yes, there are lots of opportunities. Yes, there are businesses that are coming together." Casey Wyckoff with LSW Architects pointed to photos taken on a sunny Saturday showing few pedestrians in downtown Kalispell. He noted challenges facing downtown, but said it's also a blank canvas with opportunity. "Very small improvements can contribute to a neighborhood," Wyckoff said. "We are who we've been waiting for. This is it. It's us." Planned to be located at the corner of First Avenue Northeast and East Montana Street, the Bowman Block commercial building was highlighted as a protentional addition to downtown Kalispell. Dentist Mike Bowman shared his goal of constructing the 20,000-square-foot building. Development in North Kalispell was outlined as continuing at a rapid rate in particular in the Kalispell North Town Center on the east side of U.S. 93 at Rose Crossing. The growth has been "super dynamic," said Stan Converse with Cedar House Properties. The 485-acre property is expected to be the future home of a new Costco building, a new Kalispell Toyota dealership, a new hotel and residential lots. Other plans include a Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers restaurant and various commercial office buildings. Reporter Kate Heston may be reached at 758-4459 or kheston@
