Seattle businesses offering 30% off to Canadians to bring tourism back

SEATTLE — Dozens of Seattle businesses and hotels are trying to entice Canadian tourists to come back to our area and spend money again with 30% off at select spots.

According to U.S. Border Patrol, Canadian to U.S. tourism dropped 22% this spring compared to last year. This may be a result of stricter crackdowns from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and from the tariffs put in place against Canada by the Trump Administration.

U.S. Border Patrol says 910,000 fewer land crossings from Canada to the U.S. have been reported this year.

To help bring our neighbors to the north back, about 37 businesses around Seattle and the Pacific Northwest are offering 30% off to Canadians visiting. This number is to make up for the exchange rate.

“We want our friends and neighbors know that as their friends and neighbors, we don’t treat you the way the other Washington is treating you,” said Bob Donegan, President of Seattle staple, Ivar’s.

Donegan said the waterfront appeared to have noticeably less Toronto fans this year during the series compared to years past.

“Last year, as we were standing here, and we’re seven hours before our first pitch, we would see 50 or 60 Blue Jays caps and sweatshirts or t-shirts,” he said. “We just saw our first one here.”

Tyson Shushkewich, Managing Editor of Blue Jays Nation, said he’s hearing both sides: fans still planning to make the trip, and fans ditching the experience this year.

He cites various possible reasons, including costs in Canada, Toronto’s record so far this season, and politics.

“Potentially stemming from the tariffs, potentially stemming from just the two different sides not getting along like we used to,” he said.

Many fans still did make the trip to Seattle for the series.

“To me, it’s business as usual,” said one fan enjoying the waterfront Friday. “I love coming down here and seeing your country, the friendly people, so yeah, I have no problem.”

Businesses offering discounts to Canadian travelers include: