Document Type
Research Report
Publication Date
Fall 2020
Keywords
Comparative Analyses, Economic Relationships, Transportation
Abstract
This research project examines cross-border travel through the lens of the tourism sector, and the effects of the border and cross-border travel on borderlands communities in the Cascadia region, prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. It uses a dual approach, drawing on interviews conducted with regional stakeholders in the tourism industry from September 2019 to December 2019 as well as a survey of regional residents regarding their border-crossing habits and attitudes. As a starting point, the project sought to explore two questions:
1) Does the tourism sector market the region as a cross-border region and more specifically does it capitalize on the “Two Nation Vacation” concept to do so?
2) Does the tourism sector function in a cross-border way both in terms of promotion – targeting people from the other side of the border – and in terms of cross-border cooperation?
After processing the data collected through both the stakeholder interviews and the resident survey, this report highlights three main findings. Firstly, the Canada–U.S. border is generally viewed as a multi-faceted challenge for stakeholders and residents, in terms of exchange rate, political climate and security measures. Second, the border is seldom presented in the marketing strategies of the different stakeholders, thus representing a missed opportunity. Segmentation of the people living on the other side of the border is not a common strategy despite their importance. Thirdly, the seeds of cooperation have been planted but competition dynamics still prevail over cooperation.
Recommended Citation
Beylier, Pierre-Alexandre PhD; Border Policy Research Institute, Western Washington University; and University of Victoria, "Cross-Border Tourism in Cascadia - Perspectives from Tourism Stakeholders and Residents" (2020). Border Policy Research Institute Publications. 126.
https://cedar.wwu.edu/bpri_publications/126
Subjects - Topical (LCSH)
Tourism--Canada; Tourism--United States; Cross-border shopping--Canada; Cross-border shopping--United States; Canada--Foreign and economic relations--United States; United States--Foreign and economic relations--Canada; Epidemics--Economic aspects--Canada; Epidemics--Economic aspects--United States
Geographic Coverage
Canada; United States
Genre/Form
reports
Type
Text
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf