With the border between Canada and the U.S. currently closed, the value of cross-border travel to the tourism industry has never been more clear. Tourism is a key economic driver for the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) which consists of the U.S. states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington, and the Canadian provinces and territories of Alberta, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan, and the Yukon. The region averages $71.4 billion in visitor expenditures each year!

We recognize:
  • The value of international travel will be greatly diminished for the foreseeable future, that industry and government need to pivot, and regional tourism will be increasingly important in the coming years of recovery.
  • Tourism provides a competitive opportunity for our cross border region as it thrives in a connected and well-organized regional ecosystem. When one PNWER state, province, or territory does well, the other states, provinces, and territories benefit.
  • Sustainable tourism is a growth opportunity for every jurisdiction in the PNWER region, especially as small and rural communities evolve from extractive primary industries.
  • Tourism is a labour and employment-rich industry, delivering much-needed jobs that cannot be outsourced.
  • Tourism is a valuable export sector in need of rescue, wanting to collaborate with government to recover safely and be able to compete against other destinations already re-emerging from the COVID-19 crisis.
With respect to the health concerns of Canadians and Americans, Tourism wants to operate safely, but it does want to operate. We want to enhance the health safety of all citizens, both local and the traveling public. We strive to emerge from this crisis safely, stronger and more resilient for the future. With this in mind, we believe that, when both governments agree that it is safe to do so, Canada and the U.S. must present a strong, safe, and well-coordinated border reopening message that achieves the following objectives and principles:
  • Develop a tourism restart plan that presents consistent and unified safety protocols and best practices that can be agreed upon and used by both countries
  • Convene bilateral round tables, prior to the border reopening, with specific tourism and travel sectors such as air, ferry, and cruise to troubleshoot operating protocols
  • Collaborate on marketing opportunities between Canada and the U.S. to spur recovery, expand markets, and compete globally
  • Establish a cross-border “health preclearance” pilot to examine how to allow the safe resumption of travel
  • Catalyze the resumption of business travel, as soon as it is deemed safe to do so
  • Stimulate the “rubber tire market” as soon as it is deemed safe to do so
  • Foster collaboration to ensure clear and consistent communication is issued to tourism operators as well as the public concerning health and safety protocols
  • Encourage governments to engage with aboriginal communities and their businesses to ensure their tourism and travel needs are met. Given that the traditional territories of Northwest aboriginal families run north/south across the U.S.-Canada border, many families travel frequently across jurisdictional borders to visit relatives. Many of the aboriginal tourism businesses in these communities are in a start-up phase that leaves them particularly vulnerable in situations like the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Publicize the need for adequate staffing at border crossings to ensure that travelers are processed in a timely manner
  • Ensure that no reduction in border security occurs while observing necessary and consistent health protocols
  • Ensure adequate consular staff is available and trained to respond to travelers in a timely manner
  • Ensure government at all levels is aligned and supportive of the safe resumption of travel and tourism and are willing to play a key role in encouraging the public to participate in PNWER’s tourism economy​
​"Rebound of the tourism sector is essential for a return to economic stability given the deep impact across many sectors of the economy. Let's work together to open up our shared borders!"

-MLA Richard Gotfried, AB
PNWER Vice President
Ensuring a safe, sustainable, and competitive regional tourism ecosystem through and beyond the COVID-19 crisis will contribute to the long-term prosperity of the region and aid in jumpstarting other economic sectors. We stand with businesses, workers, and advocacy organizations to urge our governments and all Americans and Canadians to come together to support Tourism and recognize the value it brings to our region.

SIGNERS

​MLA Richard Gotfried
Legislative Asssembly of Alberta
PNWER Vice President
​
Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER)
Matt Morrison, Executive Director
Brandon Hardenbrook, COO

Representative Cindy Ryu
Washington State Legislature

Wilson's Group of Companies
John Wilson, President & CEO

​Tourism Industry Association of BC
​Walt Judas, CEO

Vancouver Hotel Destination Association

​Hotel Association of Vancouver

Alaska Skylar Travel
Glen Hemingson, Business Development

Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce

BlueStar Coachlines
Border Policy Research Institute
​Laurie Trautman, Director

The Butchart Gardens
Dave Cowen, CEO

Alaska Travel Industry Association
​
Idaho Commerce
Diane Norton, Idaho Tourism Manager

Tourism Saskatchewan

​Cascadia Center
​Bruce Agnew, Director

​Commercial Bear Viewing Association

Helicat Canada​​​

Guide Outfitters Association of BC​​

Eagle Pass Heliskiing Ltd.
​Ian Tomm, President

Township of Esquimalt, BC

Statements of Support

Rebound of the tourism sector is essential for a return to economic stability given the deep impact across many sectors of the economy. Let's work together to open up our shared borders!
​
MLA Richard Gotfried, AB
PNWER Vice President
​Travel between our respective countries is paramount to the success of the visitor economy. As residents, tourism businesses and communities, we look forward to again welcoming American visitors once it is deemed safe to do so. 

​Walt Judas
Tourism Industry Association of BC
In Washington State, Tourism is not only a significant economic engine, but contributes to making it a great place to live, work, and play. Let's do it responsibly with appropriate social distancing, usage of masks, and frequent hand-washing.

Representative Cindy Ryu
Washington State Legislature
We need a thoughtful plan to gradually open the international borders. We can do this safely. Restarting the tourism sector is critical to economic recovery.

​Guide Outfitters Association of BC
For Tourism to survive and thrive, we need to get back to "Normal" as soon as possible. The "New Normal" does not work in our industry and as companies fail over the next few months, it will take years to replace their spot in the BC economy. We must do all we can to support the sector now to have it here in 2021 and beyond. 

John Wilson
Wilson's Group of Companies
Good to plan ahead to help hasten recovery!

Glen Hemingson
Alaska Skylar Travel
Tourism is a vital industry that not only supports our communities but contributes to our quality of life. This effort is an essential part of our future.

Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce