‘Come Hug It Out’: Canadian tourism groups assure us
At the end of last year, Dan Davis of Cleveland, Ohio, planned a motorcycle trip with friends this summer, which included several days in Ontario.
But after taking over in January, US President Donald Trump became a little uncertain and put tariffs in Canada, provoking a trade war. To make Canada the 51st state, Trump has created anger among many Canadians, in collaboration with Trump’s consistent threats.
Davis said, in February, Canadian Died US National Anthem Many NHL hockey games, and in March, Canadian government Launched a billboard campaign In a dozen American states, including Ohio, announced that Trump’s “tariffs are united.”
“Those things surprised us, ‘Wow, are we going to welcome in Canada?” “License plates on the group’s motorcycles show that they are from Ohio – a state Trump won the 2024 election,” Davis said.
“On a motorcycle, you are a bit more weak,” he said. “There is a person to say all this,” you know that, I am going to show these people a lesson, “Is it the barbarity of the bike or … throwing a beer on you.”
Less American tourists visiting Canada
Since Trump took over and Canada-American relations have become tense, Less Canadians visit AmericaAnd less Americans are coming to Canada.
In May, Americans have trip to Canada The car dropped by 10.7 percent, and 5.5 percent by air compared to last year.
Some tourism associations are concerned that many Americans may stay away because they are afraid of a chili reception, so they have started advertising campaigns that assure their neighbors that they will be warmly welcomed.
This is a worthy reason what is at stake: Most of the Canadian tourists come from America, and they $ 15.3 million spent Last year in the country.
“It was really important for us to send messages to these visitors … that they really welcome, not afraid to meet us,” Isabel Charlebis, General Director of Tourism Eastern Township, said by an area of South -East Cubek near the US border.
The group launched a TV advertisement in late May, running in the states of New England and New York. Set in the Eastern Township, it shows an American tourist that he whispered with wolf for a hotel clerk he is American. The clerk deliberately smiles, and gives American a big, warm hug. Tagline says, “Hug it in the Eastern Township.”
Look Quebec Tourism Group offers ‘Hug It Out’:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rauwo2s70a
Charlebis says that the advertising campaign was partially inspired by the fact that local tourism operators were making several calls from the Americans concerned.
“They were calling … asking if they should postpone their journey, or if they welcome to Quebec,” she said. “This relationship with our neighbor is really important for us. That’s why we have sent this message, and I hope it works.”
‘Dharna is reality’
In May, among the 200 businesses surveyed by the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, 32 percent reported Booking low heat by Americans compared to the same time of last year.
John Kinny, owner of Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour, says, so far this season, his location just out of Niagra Falls has seen 15 percent less American customers compared to this time last year.
“Unfortunately, the perception is reality,” Kinney said. “If it is believed that there is a political crisis, then people say,” I think Martal Beach is good. ” They simply go to a completely separate area. ,
To encourage Americans to listen to north, Niagara Falls Tourism has launched a page on its website Just for themWith listing attractions, it announces, “For our friends in USA – we can’t wait to welcome you!”
Back to Cleveland, Davis saw a billboard on the highway last week and said he took it as a sign, which he was welcome to Canada.
This time, instead of condemning Trump’s tariff, Billboard invited Americans to travel to Ontario and take advantage of low Canadian dollars.
Dhanavavya Ontario, the province’s tourism organization, launched a campaign in several American states last month.
“It is good to see that they are encouraging visitors,” Davis said, who is now ready to visit his Ontario. “We all need to come together as humans on both sides of the border and embrace each other.”
BC Bear Tour Operator Bacon Americans
On the West Coast, the British Columbia businesses who are experts to see the bears are also rolling the welcome mats.
More than a dozen participated in a video, posted on YouTube on 30 May, which promises Americans “open arms” and “warm hospitality”.
The Commercial Beer Viewing Association of BC, which put the advertisement together, says it will soon be launched as part of the social media campaign in select American markets.
Look BC business welcomes American tourists:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytzfdrnwaqm
Marg Lihen, General Manager of the Great Beer Lodge at Campbell River, BC, was shouted in the video. This is a message that she expects to resonance, as the US booking in her lodge has decreased by 28 per cent compared to this time last year.
“Americans always make a good percentage of our visitors, and we are disappointed to not come,” he said. “I think they are worried that political messages will be reflected on them. But of course, it’s not how most Canadians feel.”
Lihen says that she is receiving more Canadian booking this year, which helps to remove the decline in American customers. Nevertheless, she worries that the fall may have permanent results.
“We don’t want to lose that pipeline of American visitors,” he said. “They must have returned as repeating guests. So it’s not just this year that we will lose to visitors, this is future years.”
