Seattle's Canadian Tourists Surge as Blue Jays Fans Boost Local Businesses
Despite a forecasted drop in international visitors, Seattle is seeing a surge in Canadian tourists, particularly Toronto Blue Jays fans, who are bringing a boost to local businesses during the ongoing American League Championship Series.
Visit Seattle's president, Tanya Canavan, is thrilled to welcome Blue Jays fans to the city. Last year, Canadians spent a significant $586 million in Seattle and the King County area. The ongoing baseball series has led to an increase in Canadian visitors, bucking the trend of a 26% drop in international visitors forecasted for this year, the largest decline among major U.S. cities due to dependence on Canadian tourism.
Daniel Fleming, a local artist and vendor at Pike Place Market, has noticed the positive impact of these visitors. He reports that Blue Jays fans have been supporting local businesses during their stays. The atmosphere at Game 3 was friendly and good-natured, with fans engaging in light-hearted trash talk that quietened down as the Jays pulled ahead. Fleming has observed a decrease in tourists from Korea and China but no significant change in Canadian visitors, thanks to the baseball games.
While Visit Seattle predicts a substantial drop in international visitors this year, the presence of Toronto Blue Jays fans is providing a much-needed boost to local businesses. Kurt and Tracey Bessey, siblings from Saskatoon, travelled to Seattle for the games, undeterred by political tensions at the border. Despite the lack of specific data on Canadian tourists in 2025, it's clear that Blue Jays fans continue to be a significant contributor to Seattle's tourism industry.
