Latest news with #TourismSaskatchewan
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Chappell Roan's hit song 'The Subway' has sparked a tourism boom in Saskatchewan
A Canadian province is experiencing a tourism boost after being named in Chappell Roan's new single. Searches for Saskatchewan, a prairie province, were up after it was featured in "The Subway." The Tourism Saskatchewan CEO said recognition from the famous pop star was "like a gift from heaven." A frequently overlooked Canadian province is seeing a surge in tourism interest thanks to America's favorite Midwest Princess. Chappell Roan, the pop star known for her drag queen-inspired aesthetic, referenced Saskatchewan — known for its sunsets and wheat production — in her latest hit single, "The Subway." On the track, she vows to move to the prairie province in central Canada if she can't get over her heartbreak in New York City. After Roan released the song and the subsequent music video on July 31, not only did Saskatchewan see its first spike in the US Google Trends in two years, but the province's tourism board has since seen around 50,000 interactions with its social media accounts and webpage. "We don't normally get this kind of publicity from an artist that's at the peak of their popularity," Jonathan Potts, CEO of Tourism Saskatchewan, told Business Insider. "This is like a gift from heaven." Potts said that in any given year, about 10% of the province's visitors come from the US, mostly for opportunities to fish, hunt, and stargaze, thanks to the rising demand in astrotourism. "I can see why we could be a cure for heartbreak," Potts added. "We only have a population of around 1.2 million people, we have sunshine and plenty of wide open space, and we have the darkest sky preserve just across the Montana border, free from any sound and light pollution." It's certainly not the first time a pop culture reference has put a tourism destination on the map. Montana and Wyoming experienced a surge in tourism thanks to the popularity of the TV show "Yellowstone," while HBO's "Game of Thrones" caused a tourism boost in Northern Ireland and Croatia, with fans visiting filming locations. Amir Eylon, president and CEO of Longwoods International, a market research consultancy specializing in the travel tourism industry, said music references can have the same effect. "Travel is an emotional thing," Eylon said, adding that if fans "feel a connection to that song or that piece of art, they're going to want to explore that place and see if they can feel that same connection within the destination." Saskatchewan embraces itself as a cure for heartbreak The sudden interest in Saskatchewan comes at a time when the relationship between the US and Canada is strained by the Trump administration's tariffs and the president's repeated comments about making the US's northern neighbor the 51st state of the US. Since March, Canadians have boycotted US-made products and canceled trips to the States in favor of Central American and European destinations. According to Statistics Canada, return flights of Canadian residents from the US saw a 22% decline year-over-year in June, while resident return trips by automobile from the US also fell by 33% in the same month. The decline doesn't seem to be caused by a lack of interest in traveling. In June, Statistics Canada, the national statistical office of Canada, reported a 7% increase in international travel compared to the same month in 2024. If you are an American in need of a cure for heartbreak, or just someone living in Montana and North Dakota seeking a quick escape, Saskatchewan welcomes everyone with open arms, Potts said. Tourism Saskatchewan's page now has a list of travel recommendations based on Chappell Roan songs, ranging from the cheerleader-vibe "HOT TO GO!" for the Mosaic Stadium, to "Red Wine Supernova" for Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, where you are guaranteed a sky full of stars. Eylon said Saskatchewan was smart to capitalize on the moment, calling it a "fun, unique opportunity" to introduce the destination to Americans who may not be familiar with the province. "Travel is transformational," he said. "Showing that Saskatchewan can be a transformational destination for those who are seeking change could be a great vein to tap into with their marketing." If you are visiting Saskatchewan, whether you are a fan of Roan or not, Potts offers the biggest travel tip: dress appropriately for the season. "We're warm, welcoming people, and we are a very diverse place, with very clear seasons," said Potts. "From the biggest skies to the largest collection of Picasso linocuts, we will help you find something fantastic to do." Fans online also drew a connection between Roan's breakout 2023 album, "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess," to Saskatchewan's similarities with the American Midwest. Apparently, "Midwest Princesses know no borders," as one comment on a Tourism Saskatchewan post read. Read the original article on Business Insider
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Chappell Roan's hit song 'The Subway' has sparked a tourism boom in Saskatchewan
A Canadian province is experiencing a tourism boost after being named in Chappell Roan's new single. Searches for Saskatchewan, a prairie province, were up after it was featured in "The Subway." The Tourism Saskatchewan CEO said recognition from the famous pop star was "like a gift from heaven." A frequently overlooked Canadian province is seeing a surge in tourism interest thanks to America's favorite Midwest Princess. Chappell Roan, the pop star known for her drag queen-inspired aesthetic, referenced Saskatchewan — known for its sunsets and wheat production — in her latest hit single, "The Subway." On the track, she vows to move to the prairie province in central Canada if she can't get over her heartbreak in New York City. After Roan released the song and the subsequent music video on July 31, not only did Saskatchewan see its first spike in the US Google Trends in two years, but the province's tourism board has since seen around 50,000 interactions with its social media accounts and webpage. "We don't normally get this kind of publicity from an artist that's at the peak of their popularity," Jonathan Potts, CEO of Tourism Saskatchewan, told Business Insider. "This is like a gift from heaven." Potts said that in any given year, about 10% of the province's visitors come from the US, mostly for opportunities to fish, hunt, and stargaze, thanks to the rising demand in astrotourism. "I can see why we could be a cure for heartbreak," Potts added. "We only have a population of around 1.2 million people, we have sunshine and plenty of wide open space, and we have the darkest sky preserve just across the Montana border, free from any sound and light pollution." It's certainly not the first time a pop culture reference has put a tourism destination on the map. Montana and Wyoming experienced a surge in tourism thanks to the popularity of the TV show "Yellowstone," while HBO's "Game of Thrones" caused a tourism boost in Northern Ireland and Croatia, with fans visiting filming locations. Amir Eylon, president and CEO of Longwoods International, a market research consultancy specializing in the travel tourism industry, said music references can have the same effect. "Travel is an emotional thing," Eylon said, adding that if fans "feel a connection to that song or that piece of art, they're going to want to explore that place and see if they can feel that same connection within the destination." Saskatchewan embraces itself as a cure for heartbreak The sudden interest in Saskatchewan comes at a time when the relationship between the US and Canada is strained by the Trump administration's tariffs and the president's repeated comments about making the US's northern neighbor the 51st state of the US. Since March, Canadians have boycotted US-made products and canceled trips to the States in favor of Central American and European destinations. According to Statistics Canada, return flights of Canadian residents from the US saw a 22% decline year-over-year in June, while resident return trips by automobile from the US also fell by 33% in the same month. The decline doesn't seem to be caused by a lack of interest in traveling. In June, Statistics Canada, the national statistical office of Canada, reported a 7% increase in international travel compared to the same month in 2024. If you are an American in need of a cure for heartbreak, or just someone living in Montana and North Dakota seeking a quick escape, Saskatchewan welcomes everyone with open arms, Potts said. Tourism Saskatchewan's page now has a list of travel recommendations based on Chappell Roan songs, ranging from the cheerleader-vibe "HOT TO GO!" for the Mosaic Stadium, to "Red Wine Supernova" for Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, where you are guaranteed a sky full of stars. Eylon said Saskatchewan was smart to capitalize on the moment, calling it a "fun, unique opportunity" to introduce the destination to Americans who may not be familiar with the province. "Travel is transformational," he said. "Showing that Saskatchewan can be a transformational destination for those who are seeking change could be a great vein to tap into with their marketing." If you are visiting Saskatchewan, whether you are a fan of Roan or not, Potts offers the biggest travel tip: dress appropriately for the season. "We're warm, welcoming people, and we are a very diverse place, with very clear seasons," said Potts. "From the biggest skies to the largest collection of Picasso linocuts, we will help you find something fantastic to do." Fans online also drew a connection between Roan's breakout 2023 album, "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess," to Saskatchewan's similarities with the American Midwest. Apparently, "Midwest Princesses know no borders," as one comment on a Tourism Saskatchewan post read. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
Chappell Roan's hit song 'The Subway' has sparked a tourism boom in Saskatchewan
A frequently overlooked Canadian province is seeing a surge in tourism interest thanks to America's favorite Midwest Princess. Chappell Roan, the pop star known for her drag queen-inspired aesthetic, referenced Saskatchewan — known for its sunsets and wheat production — in her latest hit single, "The Subway." On the track, she vows to move to the prairie province in central Canada if she can't get over her heartbreak in New York City. After Roan released the song and the subsequent music video on July 31, not only did Saskatchewan see its first spike in the US Google Trends in two years, but the province's tourism board has since seen around 50,000 interactions with its social media accounts and webpage. "We don't normally get this kind of publicity from an artist that's at the peak of their popularity," Jonathan Potts, CEO of Tourism Saskatchewan, told Business Insider. "This is like a gift from heaven." Potts said that in any given year, about 10% of the province's visitors come from the US, mostly for opportunities to fish, hunt, and stargaze, thanks to the rising demand in astrotourism. "I can see why we could be a cure for heartbreak," Potts added. "We only have a population of around 1.2 million people, we have sunshine and plenty of wide open space, and we have the darkest sky preserve just across the Montana border, free from any sound and light pollution." It's certainly not the first time a pop culture reference has put a tourism destination on the map. Montana and Wyoming experienced a surge in tourism thanks to the popularity of the TV show "Yellowstone," while HBO's " Game of Thrones" caused a tourism boost in Northern Ireland and Croatia, with fans visiting filming locations. Amir Eylon, president and CEO of Longwoods International, a market research consultancy specializing in the travel tourism industry, said music references can have the same effect. "Travel is an emotional thing," Eylon said, adding that if fans "feel a connection to that song or that piece of art, they're going to want to explore that place and see if they can feel that same connection within the destination." Saskatchewan embraces itself as a cure for heartbreak The sudden interest in Saskatchewan comes at a time when the relationship between the US and Canada is strained by the Trump administration's tariffs and the president's repeated comments about making the US'snorthern neighbor the 51st state of the US. Since March, Canadians have boycotted US-made products and canceled trips to the States in favor of Central American and European destinations. According to Statistics Canada, return flights of Canadian residents from the US saw a 22% decline year-over-year in June, while resident return trips by automobile from the US also fell by 33% in the same month. The decline doesn't seem to be caused by a lack of interest in traveling. In June, Statistics Canada, the national statistical office of Canada, reported a 7% increase in international travel compared to the same month in 2024. If you are an American in need of a cure for heartbreak, or just someone living in Montana and North Dakota seeking a quick escape, Saskatchewan welcomes everyone with open arms, Potts said. Tourism Saskatchewan's page now has a list of travel recommendations based on Chappell Roan songs, ranging from the cheerleader-vibe "HOT TO GO!" for the Mosaic Stadium, to "Red Wine Supernova" for Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, where you are guaranteed a sky full of stars. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Saskatchewan (@tourismsask) Eylon said Saskatchewan was smart to capitalize on the moment, calling it a "fun, unique opportunity" to introduce the destination to Americans who may not be familiar with the province. "Travel is transformational," he said. "Showing that Saskatchewan can be a transformational destination for those who are seeking change could be a great vein to tap into with their marketing." If you are visiting Saskatchewan, whether you are a fan of Roan or not, Potts offers the biggest travel tip: dress appropriately for the season. "We're warm, welcoming people, and we are a very diverse place, with very clear seasons," said Potts. "From the biggest skies to the largest collection of Picasso linocuts, we will help you find something fantastic to do." Fans online also drew a connection between Roan's breakout 2023 album, "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess," to Saskatchewan's similarities with the American Midwest. Apparently, "Midwest Princesses know no borders," as one comment on a Tourism Saskatchewan post read.
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
Chappell Roan's breakup song drives unexpected tourism buzz for Saskatchewan, Canada
Grammy winner Chappell Roan's new song has unexpectedly put Saskatchewan in the spotlight, driving increased interest in Canada's sunniest province, its tourism authority told ABC News. In her latest single "The Subway," released last week, Roan playfully suggests "movin' to Saskatchewan" as a cure for heartbreak. Even before the song's official release, Tourism Saskatchewan reported more than 230 social media mentions and nearly 40,000 interactions related to the region. "It's great news for our province," Jonathan Potts, CEO of Tourism Saskatchewan, told ABC News on Monday. "It's a lot of fun to have such a wonderful, popular artist singing our praises and giving us the opportunity to tell the story of Saskatchewan." When asked about the region's reception to Roan, who is a prominent voice in the LGBTQ+ community, Potts emphasized Saskatchewan's welcoming nature. "People are reacting very positively. It's a very open, welcome province. Everybody is welcome here, and everybody belongs here," he told ABC News. Located in Canada's prairie region and bordered by Alberta, Manitoba, the Northwest Territories, and the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota, Saskatchewan boasts an impressive 2,000 to 2,500 hours of annual sunshine, according to the Canada Visa website. Home to just over 1.1 million residents, the province's largest urban centers include Saskatoon, with 300,000 residents, and the capital city Regina, with approximately 240,000 inhabitants. The province, which Potts described as being "almost the size of Texas," is launching a marketing campaign to capitalize on the unexpected attention. "Half the province is covered by forests and lakes. We've got 100,000 lakes in the province, lots of space, lots of great opportunities to find yourself," Potts said. "Whether you're getting over a breakup like maybe the song implies, or whether you're coming for some peace and quiet, or some of the best freshwater fishing in the world, this is the place for you."
CTV News
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
‘Moving to Saskatchewan': Chappell Roan lyrics boost online interest in Canadian province
WATCH: Jacob Carr has more on Chappell Roan's 'Saskatchewan' lyric for her new song, The Subway, which drops on Thursday. Chappell Roan's new single, 'The Subway,' is creating quite the buzz in Saskatchewan. In the single released Thursday night, the American pop star sings about moving to Saskatchewan if she can't get over a breakup. 'We are absolutely thrilled to get a shout-out from such a talented and well-known artist,' said Amy McInnis, vice-president of marketing and communications at Tourism Saskatchewan. The search terms 'moving to Saskatchewan' are showing up worldwide, according to McInnis. In the days leading up to the single's release, Tourism Saskatchewan had more than 230 new social media mentions and nearly 40,000 new social media interactions. 'That's a lot of people thinking about Saskatchewan,' McInnis said. 'We don't know if it's going to translate into more visitation, but anything that brings more profile and attention to the province is always a good thing.' The tourism sector is hoping to capitalize on Roan's music. The group launched a new marketing campaign that helps tourists explore Saskatchewan based on their favourite Chappell Roan songs. 'We've rounded up five iconic Saskatchewan spots that radiate Midwest Princess energy and paired each one with the perfect Chappell track to complement their unique vibe,' according to a post on Tourism Saskatchewan's Instagram page. Roan's fans in Saskatoon also think her new song could attract more visitors from around the world. 'I think it's very good for tourism here, since most people don't really think to visit Saskatchewan when they visit Canada,' said Saskatoon resident and Chappel Roan fan Radia Jannet. Jannet said the province has a lot to offer for people trying to escape the city. 'It has a lower cost of living than the rest of Canada. It's not too overcrowded and everyone here is really polite and kind,' she said. Roan first performed The Subway live last summer. But the Saskatchewan lyrics gained traction late last month when Roan hired Regina production company Captive Media to create a teaser video for the official release. The snippet shows a moving truck passing by canola fields and a 'Welcome to Saskatchewan' sign. 'We really wanted to show off Saskatchewan and make sure that we find and get footage that we feel like represents our province,' said Captive Media content creator Jill Dukart. Roan is an advocate for the LGBTQ2S+ community, and the queer singer has received a warm welcome from members of Saskatchewan's queer community. Nathaniel Teed is the province's first openly gay member of the legislative assembly. He penned a letter to Roan's team pitching a collaboration with the singer that 'offers an unapologetic middle finger to bigotry.' 'We want to see queer and trans youth affirmed and supported in schools. And I think Chapell's voice might be able to lend a little bit of weight behind that,' Teed told CTV News. There is hope that the singer might take up the offer to at least visit Saskatchewan in the future. In December, during an interview with celebrity journalist Nardwuar, Roan said she had been scoping out venues in the province. 'I owe it to them. I can't sing a song about Saskatchewan and not go there and play a show,' she said. There are no Canadian cities listed on Roan's current tour schedule.
