Good morning and welcome to our mandatory California newsletter. the Sunday. I’m your host, Andrew J. Campa. Here’s what you need to know:

Angry at Trump’s actions, Canadians are beginning to boycott Palm Springs

They were planning a holiday, a winter retreat stay, a music festival adventure, a trip to meet friends.

These Canadian travelers, snowbirds and short-term visitors all cancelled their trip to Palm Springs.

There were various reasons to visit the desert oasis, but the cause of the outage was clear. Canadians felt that they were under the scrutiny of the Trump administration and expressed their disapproval in the dollar.

However, their salvo against the second president-elect did not attack him. Rather, the Maple Boycott hit the LGBTQ+-friendly Palm Springs community of tourism-dependent workers, restaurants and business owners in Canada.

Palm Springs is currently scrambling and is trying to overcome this economic downturn, anticipating a tougher holiday season.

My colleague Haley Branson Potts wrote in depth about the situation, including where the parties stand and what the future looks like.

What is driving away Canadians?

Trump downplayed Canada by calling it the “51st state” of America. He repeatedly “ocked” former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.Governor.“He threatened to use it too.”Economic power“Annexing a country of 40 million people.

February’s playing cards I called an emergency Justify strict new tariffs on Canadian imports. he I insisted that Trafficking illegal drugs across northern borders, or fentanyl, violated the safety of America.

After separate cards 25% tariff on imported cars Last week, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called for taxation “Direct attack” A 25% retaliation was slapped on vehicles imported from the US.

Canadian spending habits are changing

Canadian airlines say Flair Airlines and WestJet have ended seasonal services between Vancouver and Winnipeg from Palm Springs International Airport earlier than this spring, airport spokesman Jake Ingracia said in a statement to the Times.

“The airline advised the airport that these adjustments are in response to current operating environment and changes in demand,” Ingracia said.

Kenny Cassady, the business development director at ACME House Co., which manages vacation rental properties in Palm Springs, said Canadians often book a 1-3 month stay a year ago.

“But you’re going to have to rebook for next year? They’re just in decline,” Cassadie said. “It will be the most noticeable coming next season. It could have ripple effects beyond guests who have not booked to come back and spend rental dollars. If they’re not here, they won’t buy other services in the restaurant either.”

Laura Mezzacapo, accounting manager for Vancouver-based travel agency The Travel Group, said that during this time, travel agents along with her company are busy booking spring and summer holidays to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Palm Springs.

However, since mid-February, US reservations have plummeted. According to her, corporate bookings have fallen by 70% to 80%. And instead of vacations in the US West, clients choose Mexico.

“We feel downplayed,” she said of Canadians. “We were your biggest ally. We fought war with you. We took the plane on 9/11. We love traveling to your country. We buy your products.

What the numbers say

a 2021 Research Completed to visit Greater Palm Springs, it turns out that Canadians own 7% of the second home in the Coachella Valley.

Another study from 2017, I found it About 303,600 Canadians visited Coachella Valley that year, spending more than $236 million.

How did Palm Springs respond?

Last week, the city of Palm Springs declared “Palm Springs” and hung a red streetlight banner in its downtown business district. ♥ Canada. “And Mayor Ron Dejarte said city officials are worried about sales tax and hotel occupancy.

Peak snowbird season (approximately January to April) is closing, he said, with concerns growing about the wave of cancellations for the next winter.

“If this is something that lasts for a long time, we have to start working today to counter the negativity that may arise from the actions of Washington, D.C.,” DeJarte said.

“Is that a concern? Certainly. Canada is consistently our number one travel source.”

Check out the full story for more details on the situation.

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Have a great weekend from the Essential California team

Andrew J. Campa, reporter
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