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Vancouver Sun
09-05-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Statistics hint at surge in domestic tourism in B.C. as Canadians avoid U.S. travel
Hotelier Charles McDiarmid saw the first signs of how much business at his Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino was going to change this summer right after U.S. President Donald Trump's inauguration, accompanied by tariff threats and warnings he wanted to make Canada the 51st state. Inquiries from across Canada, which usually come a little later in the year, started rolling in to the property from travellers suddenly more interested in staying on this side of the border for vacation in numbers that almost rival the post-COVID-19 boom in 2022. 'It started with a bang,' McDiarmid said. 'We're tracking a very significant surge in travel within Canada with Canadians staying in Canada looking for the quintessential Canadian experience, and I believe we're one of them.' Stay on top of the latest real estate news and home design trends. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Westcoast Homes will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. McDiarmid said an exchange rate with the Canadian dollar worth 72 cents to the U.S. dollar is another motivating factor for Canadians to stay home, but 'the No. 1 message' his staff are hearing from customers is that 'we want to support Canada,' instead of taking trips to Las Vegas, California or Oregon. Enough Canadians are abandoning U.S. travel plans for airlines to start paring back services, which has already been evident in passenger numbers at Vancouver International Airport. YVR passenger statistics show that travel on flights to and from U.S. destinations was down six per cent to the end of March, the most recent numbers available, almost 88,000 fewer passengers, bringing the total number to 1.3 million. WestJet on May 6 was the latest to suspend flights to nine U.S. cities including a new Vancouver to Austin route that was to start service in the second week of May but is now on hold until October. Airline spokesman Josh Yeats said the 'downward shift in transborder demand' prompted the suspensions. On the other hand, WestJet has also added new flights within Canada including a direct flight between Vancouver and Halifax to meet demand for domestic travel. The early sign of that domestic demand showed up as a three per cent increase in domestic travel through YVR from January to the end of March, with 73,070 additional passengers bringing the total number to 2.9 million people on flights between Canadian destinations. Travel to Asia Pacific destinations through YVR was also up 14 per cent, some 138,000 passengers for a total of 1.1 million, and nine per cent to Europe, 24,000 additional passengers for a total of 286,000. Yeats said WestJet has also increased frequency on routes between Vancouver and Calgary, Kelowna, Prince George and Comox, as well as Comox to Edmonton. Airline industry expert John Gradek said there will likely be more changes once summer demand shows them where they should use those planes they were using on U.S. routes. 'Within the next couple of weeks you'll probably see more Canadian services show up,' said Gradek, a professor of supply networks and aviation at Montreal's McGill University. 'You'll see new services from the Maritimes non-stop into Vancouver, maybe some more services from Manitoba, Saskatchewan directly into Vancouver.' Gradek added that the big question will be whether or not B.C.'s already busy hospitality sector will be ready to absorb that surge on top of rising international visitor numbers. 'Try to get a hotel in Banff or Kelowna or Kamloops,' Gradek said. 'At the peak of the summer right now is impossible.' From Metro Vancouver's perspective, Royce Chwin, CEO of Destination Vancouver, said the city has become practised at turning over large numbers of visitors, as evidenced by pop superstar Taylor Swift's tour stop last December that 'pushed our limits.' 'We can always use more (hotel) rooms, and we are working on that,' Chwin said. 'But we feel confident enough that we'll be able to look after most of the visitors' that arrive. Chwin said it's too soon to tell how much of a surge in domestic tourism the region will see, but Destination Vancouver knows that it will be coming on top of rising numbers of tourists from the U.S. Visitation from Washington state has been up nine per cent and from California eight per cent. American tourists 'really want to come to Canada, despite everything that's going on,' Chwin said. 'Their bigger concern is, 'Will we be welcomed?' ' McDiarmid echoed Chwin on their typical answer that U.S. visitors are welcome. 'Our elbows are up but our arms are wide open,' McDiarmid said. With files from Bloomberg News depenner@
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Yahoo
What is storm-watching and where should you try it?
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). There's nothing new in feeling awe in the face of nature's grandeur. The Romantics were enraptured by it back in the 19th century. English artist JMW Turner stirred the soul by painting brooding skies of biblical proportions, while philosopher Immanuel Kant explored the sublime — that profound blend of terror and wonder evoked by observing natural phenomena like a raging thunderstorm. However, curated storm-watching tourism didn't really take off until 1996, when the original of cult-classic movie Twister sparked a whirlwind of interest in extreme weather. That same year, the Wickaninnish Inn opened its doors in Tofino, on the rugged western coast of Vancouver Island. Inspired by childhood memories of marvelling at the region's wild winter storms with his family, owner Charles McDiarmid envisioned a sanctuary where visitors could embrace — not escape — Tofino's furious season, when Pacific storms unleash monster waves that tower up to 20ft high. Perched on a bluff facing an uninterrupted ocean expanse (the next landmass is Japan), the inn was designed for full immersion. Every one of its 75 rooms has huge windows built to withstand 100mph winds, while crackling fireplaces and thick wool blankets create a hygge vibe. Guest rooms also come stocked with waterproof gear so adventurous types can brave the conditions, because in Tofino, there's no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing. It was a bold concept. 'People thought we were crazy to market these wild winter maelstroms as a reason to visit,' Charles admits with a laugh. The gamble paid off. Between November and February in its opening year, the hotel's occupancy rates surged from 30% to 58%. Guests, initially attracted by the novelty, discovered something more profound. 'It's about escaping the city and appreciating how special our natural environment is,' Charles reflects, noting that, regardless of their ages, his guests share a common trait: an adventurous spirit. The success of Wickaninnish Inn sent ripples through Tofino and its neighbouring town, Ucluelet. Embracing the rise of storm-watching tourism, Vancouver Island rallied behind the concept. Hotels including Crystal Cove Beach Resort, Long Beach Lodge Resort, Black Rock Oceanfront Resort and SookePoint Ocean Cottage Resort all cater to squall-seekers, with their beachfront locations, surf-friendly waters and luxurious-yet-cosy atmospheres. BC Ferries Vacations also runs tailored storm-watching holiday packages when the weather outside is frightful, including both transport and accommodation at well placed hotels. Meanwhile the Tourism Tofino website highlights the best spots for windswept beach walks, plus a cosy inland sauna to warm up in afterwards. The strategy has proven successful, as the once-quiet fishing villages of Tofino and Ucluelet have evolved into year-round adventure hubs. Between November and March, traditionally considered the off-season for tourism, Tofino's hotel occupancy now consistently ranges from 46% to 58%, a trend that's remained steady for the past six years. Yet, while many islanders welcome storm tourism, safety remains a concern. Liam Ogle, a guide with Long Beach Nature Tours, warns travellers not to underestimate the risks posed by extreme weather, especially in the era of climate change. 'Forest trails can be dangerous with falling branches, and coastal areas pose risks due to storm surges,' he cautions. Before venturing out, he advises checking the Coast Smart website for safety tips. 'Nature here is both intense and beautiful. Respect for Mother Nature is deeply ingrained in the local community.' While Vancouver Island's Wickaninnish Inn may have pioneered storm-lashed travel, hold onto your hats, because its influence has spread around the world. In BC'S capital, Victoria, the tourist board has rebranded harsh winters as 'cosy season', creating suggested itineraries for visitors that incorporate blustery hikes to lighthouses followed by candlelit meals. Also embracing the philosophy that foul weather is subjective, Washington State's Long Beach Peninsula is celebrated as a prime spot to view a king tide — a rare, supersized tide that occurs when the gravitational forces of the moon, sun and Earth align to amplify tidal ranges. Closer to home, and proving that gale-force getaways have stepped into the world of luxury, the five-star Headland Hotel in Newquay, Cornwall, rolls out the red carpet with storm-watching breaks featuring a spa overlooking waves crashing against the rugged cliffs. A third of the hotel's winter guests check in specifically for their storm-watching package. Whether braving high winds on a driftwood-strewn beach in Tofino or witnessing the majestic furore through binoculars from the comfort of a hotel room, it's safe to say a certain kind of traveller is drawn to nature's wildest moments. 'There's a mesmerising contrast between the raw power of a storm and its undeniable beauty — one which is both awe-inspiring and humbling,' states Charles. 'Experiencing such forces first-hand is a stark reminder of nature's immense scale and our own infinitesimal place within it.' Published in the Coastal Collection 2025 by National Geographic Traveller (UK).To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
National Geographic
04-05-2025
- National Geographic
What is storm-watching and where should you try it?
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). There's nothing new in feeling awe in the face of nature's grandeur. The Romantics were enraptured by it back in the 19th century. English artist JMW Turner stirred the soul by painting brooding skies of biblical proportions, while philosopher Immanuel Kant explored the sublime — that profound blend of terror and wonder evoked by observing natural phenomena like a raging thunderstorm. However, curated storm-watching tourism didn't really take off until 1996, when the original of cult-classic movie Twister sparked a whirlwind of interest in extreme weather. That same year, the Wickaninnish Inn opened its doors in Tofino, on the rugged western coast of Vancouver Island. Inspired by childhood memories of marvelling at the region's wild winter storms with his family, owner Charles McDiarmid envisioned a sanctuary where visitors could embrace — not escape — Tofino's furious season, when Pacific storms unleash monster waves that tower up to 20ft high. Perched on a bluff facing an uninterrupted ocean expanse (the next landmass is Japan), the inn was designed for full immersion. Every one of its 75 rooms has huge windows built to withstand 100mph winds, while crackling fireplaces and thick wool blankets create a hygge vibe. Guest rooms also come stocked with waterproof gear so adventurous types can brave the conditions, because in Tofino, there's no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing. It was a bold concept. 'People thought we were crazy to market these wild winter maelstroms as a reason to visit,' Charles admits with a laugh. The gamble paid off. Between November and February in its opening year, the hotel's occupancy rates surged from 30% to 58%. Guests, initially attracted by the novelty, discovered something more profound. 'It's about escaping the city and appreciating how special our natural environment is,' Charles reflects, noting that, regardless of their ages, his guests share a common trait: an adventurous spirit. Whether braving high winds on a driftwood-strewn beach in Tofino or witnessing the majestic furore through binoculars from the comfort of a hotel room, it's safe to say a certain kind of traveller is drawn to nature's wildest moments. Tofino's storm-season boom The success of Wickaninnish Inn sent ripples through Tofino and its neighbouring town, Ucluelet. Embracing the rise of storm-watching tourism, Vancouver Island rallied behind the concept. Hotels including Crystal Cove Beach Resort, Long Beach Lodge Resort, Black Rock Oceanfront Resort and SookePoint Ocean Cottage Resort all cater to squall-seekers, with their beachfront locations, surf-friendly waters and luxurious-yet-cosy atmospheres. BC Ferries Vacations also runs tailored storm-watching holiday packages when the weather outside is frightful, including both transport and accommodation at well placed hotels. Meanwhile the Tourism Tofino website highlights the best spots for windswept beach walks, plus a cosy inland sauna to warm up in afterwards. The strategy has proven successful, as the once-quiet fishing villages of Tofino and Ucluelet have evolved into year-round adventure hubs. Between November and March, traditionally considered the off-season for tourism, Tofino's hotel occupancy now consistently ranges from 46% to 58%, a trend that's remained steady for the past six years. Yet, while many islanders welcome storm tourism, safety remains a concern. Liam Ogle, a guide with Long Beach Nature Tours, warns travellers not to underestimate the risks posed by extreme weather, especially in the era of climate change. 'Forest trails can be dangerous with falling branches, and coastal areas pose risks due to storm surges,' he cautions. Before venturing out, he advises checking the Coast Smart website for safety tips. 'Nature here is both intense and beautiful. Respect for Mother Nature is deeply ingrained in the local community.' Guest rooms at Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino come with waterproof gear and huge windows built to withstand 100mph winds. The global appeal of wild weather While Vancouver Island's Wickaninnish Inn may have pioneered storm-lashed travel, hold onto your hats, because its influence has spread around the world. In BC'S capital, Victoria, the tourist board has rebranded harsh winters as 'cosy season', creating suggested itineraries for visitors that incorporate blustery hikes to lighthouses followed by candlelit meals. Also embracing the philosophy that foul weather is subjective, Washington State's Long Beach Peninsula is celebrated as a prime spot to view a king tide — a rare, supersized tide that occurs when the gravitational forces of the moon, sun and Earth align to amplify tidal ranges. Closer to home, and proving that gale-force getaways have stepped into the world of luxury, the five-star Headland Hotel in Newquay, Cornwall, rolls out the red carpet with storm-watching breaks featuring a spa overlooking waves crashing against the rugged cliffs. A third of the hotel's winter guests check in specifically for their storm-watching package. Whether braving high winds on a driftwood-strewn beach in Tofino or witnessing the majestic furore through binoculars from the comfort of a hotel room, it's safe to say a certain kind of traveller is drawn to nature's wildest moments. 'There's a mesmerising contrast between the raw power of a storm and its undeniable beauty — one which is both awe-inspiring and humbling,' states Charles. 'Experiencing such forces first-hand is a stark reminder of nature's immense scale and our own infinitesimal place within it.' Published in the Coastal Collection 2025 by National Geographic Traveller (UK). To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
