TIABC Voice of Tourism Newsletter – November 8, 2024

The first time Donald Trump was elected as President of the United States, I was watching live election coverage from an all-inclusive resort in Puerto Vallarta with a room full of Americans who were loud, boisterous, and clearly had been drinking all day.

As you can imagine, there was a giant hangover the morning after as many folks with bleary eyes expressed shock, dismay, fear, and other emotions as they contemplated what life might look like with Trump as POTUS over the course of the next four years. Some half-jokingly said they would be hiding out in Mexico or moving to Canada for the duration of his term.

However, there were those that loved the idea of a businessperson in the White House, citing the need for a leader that understands the economy, is tough on crime and illegal immigration, stands up to foreign leaders, and ‘makes America great again’.

For better or for worse, we saw what Trump did (or didn’t do if you prefer) during his first term, and now that he’s back for round two starting in January, even Canadians are a little nervous. From a tourism perspective, there is the prospect that we might see tighter border security again, leading to longer wait times and potentially reducing travel between our two countries. There is also the possibility that Trump’s plan to implement tariffs on multiple products will further strain his relationship with Prime Minister Trudeau and lead to a U.S. call for Americans to stay home rather than vacation abroad to places like Canada.

Conversely, Trump’s economic policies may strengthen the U.S. dollar which could elevate Canada as a destination of choice (especially for border states) should the Canadian dollar fall even further against the US greenback. For the time being though, we’re in a holding pattern vis-à-vis new U.S. policies until after the inauguration in January.

On the topic of elections and leaders, TIABC can finally put plans in place to build relationships and lobby the new BC government on policies that benefit tourism now that Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) have either completed their orientation and/or returned to work. Some 56 of the 93 MLAs are newbies and many will not be intimately familiar with the sector associations that represent the visitor economy, let alone the broader BC tourism and hospitality industry.

In the meantime, many advocacy organizations like TIABC are looking forward to November 18th when Premier Eby appoints his new cabinet, which will be decidedly different than prior to the election given the defeat or retirement of multiple key ministers representing files that touch the tourism portfolio. To that end, it’s incumbent on all sector associations, DMOs, and individual business operators to be part of the advocacy process and reach out to local MLAs and cabinet ministers to ensure the tourism industry receives its share of attention and reaches its goal to become the most recognized and valued business sector for residents of British Columbia.

This year I watched US election night coverage from Manning Park Lodge after day one of the BC Lodging & Campgrounds Ideas Forum. There was a buzz in the room at breakfast the following morning as colleagues contemplated the ramifications of another Trump presidency for Canada. I half-jokingly suggested to some operators that many Americans are likely to show up at their RV resorts at about the time Trump takes office. Thankfully operators at the BCLCA Ideas Forum listened to a presentation from a lawyer this week on how to manage extended stay guests. What they may need now though is guidance on how to deal with Americans drowning their sorrows for another four years.

Walt Judas
CEO, TIABC