’51st state’ rhetoric leads Canadian tourist to cancel $7,000 Airbnb California reservation

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’51st state’ rhetoric leads Canadian tourist to cancel $7,000 Airbnb California reservation | Secret Flying

Tensions between the US and Canada cause travel concerns.

 

A Canadian tourist has decided to cut short his trip to the United States, cancelling a significant Airbnb booking due to rising tensions between the two countries. This decision follows warnings from Canadian officials about potential economic and political instability in the US.

 

Robert Carlson, an Airbnb host in Palm Springs, California, revealed that a long-term guest from Canada abruptly cancelled his reservation. The traveller, a 65-year-old retiree, was originally set to stay in a three-bedroom, two-bathroom property managed by Carlson. However, he chose to return to Vancouver earlier than planned.

 

“I’m struggling to sleep here. I’m heading back to Canada and cancelling my plans for the rest of the year,” the Canadian visitor wrote in an email to Carlson. The cancellation resulted in a loss of a $7,000 booking, and Carlson is now concerned that other Canadian guests may follow suit.

 

A particular concern is a couple from Canada who have reserved the same property for five months at a cost of $17,000. Carlson fears they might also reconsider their plans due to the prevailing uncertainty.

 

Canadians have historically made up a significant proportion of visitors to Palm Springs, especially during the winter months. A study conducted by the Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau reported that in 2017, around 300,000 Canadians visited Indio, California, contributing approximately $236.5 million to the local economy. The prospect of fewer Canadian visitors is causing concern among local business owners and residents.

 

These cancellations coincide with recent remarks by former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has urged citizens to reconsider their travel plans to the US. This warning follows proposed economic measures from former US President Donald Trump, which have sparked uncertainty among Canadians.

 

The US President on Tuesday said that Canada is “one of the nastiest countries to deal with.”

 

Carlson, along with other hosts and business owners in the region, is looking for ways to reassure Canadian tourists and prevent further cancellations. However, he admits that no clear solutions have emerged.

 

“Nobody really knows how to ease these concerns or what to say to make the situation better,” Carlson told Business Insider. His hope is that tensions between the two nations will stabilise, allowing Canadians to feel secure in continuing their travel plans.