Maybe it's because they are the 'greatest' nation on earth, if not in the entire history of the world (he said sardonically). Perhaps they are eternal optimists, or, more possibly, incredibly stupid (my pick). Whatever the explanation, the citizens of the United States of Amerika do not understand why the number of tourists visiting their country is plummeting.
Canadian travel to the U.S. has cratered after Trump took office. In March, trips made from Canada into the U.S. plummeted by nearly a million compared to the same time last year, comprising the second consecutive month of year-over-year decreases.
The real reason for that decline will be discussed a bit later, but the Americans are doing everything they can to reverse what for them is a disastrous economic trend. Despite Trump's recent and repeated declarations that the U.S. doesn't need anything from Canada, there are many who know otherwise.
For example, New York Congresswoman Elise Stephaniuk thinks that maybe Canadians are put off by the fact that they can't stay longer while visiting her land of milk and honey. She has a remedy, having introduced
the Canadian Snowbird Visa Act, a bipartisan bill to extend the duration Canadian citizens who own or lease a residence in the United States may stay—from 182 days to 240 days annually.
“Our neighbors to the north provide more visits to the United States than any other country, and they are critically important to North Country tourism and industry,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “Providing Canadians who own homes and property in the United States with extra time to visit and boost our economy will help revive Canadian tourism to the United States.”
Under current U.S. immigration law, Canadian citizens can only stay in the United States for up to 182 days per year without a visa. The Canadian Snowbird Visa Act would allow eligible Canadians—aged 50 and over who either own or lease a U.S. residence—to extend their stay to up to 240 days annually.
Perhaps a little more grounded in reality is California Governor Gavin Newsom's appeal to Canadians:
Speaking of California, Palm Springs is trying to entice Canadiana back:
Earlier this month, the city of Palm Springs, Calif., put up dozens of red banners that feature a heart with a Canadian flag nestled between the words “Palm Springs” and “Canada.”
“It was a way for us to say to the Canadians that are part of our community for so many months out of the year that we appreciate them, and in light of all the unrest and emotional up-and-down, that we’re standing by their side,” Palm Springs Mayor Ron deHarte told CTVNews.ca. “We will continue to support one another and welcome them back next season, or whenever the dust settles, and everybody feels comfortable to come back.”
All of these efforts miss a central point about a major factor, in addition to Canadian nationalistic fervour, inducing people to avoid travel to the U.S. THEY DON'T FEEL SAFE!
A Leger Marketing poll, conducted on behalf of the Association for Canadian Studies, made some interesting discoveries:
The survey of 1,626 Canadians found 52 per cent of people feel “it is no longer safe for all Canadians travelling to the United States.” Twenty-nine per cent disagreed with the sentiment and 19 per cent were unsure.
This belief was felt most strongly among respondents over 55 and in residents of Atlantic Canada, British Columbia and Ontario. People aged 18 to 54 and people in Alberta were less inclined to agree.
The dangers posed to Canadians by the U.S. has been well-known for many years, unless one has been living in a media vacuum. Finally, thanks to the hostile actions of our American 'neighbours', more and more of our people are recognizing the country for what it is: an incubator of anger, instability, violence and death, the repercussions of which we can no longer turn a blind eye to.
UPDATE: This just in, apropos to everything.
Yes if you are afraid to go to the u.s. and need to rub elbows with americans as well as bathe in american ignorance please feel free to attend the "Greatest outdoor show on earth" (does that smell a little like 'merikan exceptionalism) the Calgary Stampede or any of the longing for the great old days rodeo, bbq, car shows hosted in virtually every AB town . The stars and stripes was just reluctantly lowered here in the last few days. (still flies in the community center) You can talk MAGA and separation.
ReplyDeleteSpend your Canadian money in Canada ...not Alberta.
My son worked in Alberta for several years, lungta. I'm glad he no longer does.
DeleteMaybe it's because they are the 'greatest' nation on earth, if not in the entire history of the world!!!
ReplyDeleteNot even close.
The British Empire, for better or worse, was much bigger and more influential.
The Roman Empire was more successful as was the Ottoman Empire.
The greatest nation on earth is a figment of not American exceptionalism but of American successfully advertising and promoting such a concept.
The American are the ultimate bullshitters and the sad fact is the rest of the world is willing to shovel up the BS.
Like all Empires the USA has had some good .
The British gave the world a working language, the Romans gave incredible building techniques, the Ottomans established trade and culture .
Historically, for a short while, the US gave the world stability.
The USA will go down in history as a short lived economic powerhouse that succeeded without virtue!
TB
Agreed, TB, but try telling that to the Americans, eh?
Delete