Canadian tourism businesses brace for American travelers – KIRO 7 News Seattle

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – Ahead of the Canadian border reopens August 9, popular tourist attractions are rapidly preparing for an influx of Americans.

Among the organizations that are creeping up is the Victoria Clipper.

It is currently planned to resume trips to Canada by mid-August.

Dozens of employees were called back and trained at breakneck speed.

“I will definitely be on this trip – and look forward to getting in touch again,” said David Gudgel, CEO of Clipper Vacations.

Canada’s whale watching companies are also preparing for an influx of Americans along the water.

“The ability to move across the border will be great on either side of the border,” noted Erin Gless, Pacific Whale Watch Association.

Before the pandemic, 85% of the people on Canadian whale watching expeditions were American.

The reopening of the border will mean an immediate revival of the economy.

“That means a lot,” said Gless. “(Bookings) are 90% lower than normally in the summer months.”

And then there is fun in the mountains.

Whistler Blackcomb employees confirmed to KIRO 7 that they will be ready for American visitors next month.

“We are encouraged by the Canadian government’s announcement to admit vaccinated US visitors from August 9th, and Whistler Blackcomb will be ready to welcome our American guests back to the resort this summer,” the resort said in a statement.

As a sign of how hectic it is right now, the Whistler Blackcomb staff are so overwhelmed they couldn’t speak to KIRO 7 on camera.

Whether at sea or on land, people in the travel industry said they waited 17 long months to get to this point.

“That breakup and the inability to see each other face-to-face was really challenging,” said Gudgel.

© 2021 Cox Media Group