Western Agents Discover The Wonders Of Seattle
Visit Seattle connected with travel advisors, tour operators and key travel trade partners across Western Canada last week, hosting training and networking events in Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton, as well as a stop in Red Deer, to share updates on transportation to Seattle and what’s new in the Emerald City.
The tourist organization partnered with Air Canada (Vancouver), Calgary Airport Authority (YYC) and Edmonton International Airport (YEG) who respectively sponsored airfare for two for a Seattle prize trip which travel trade attendees entered for a chance to win at each event.
Winners include: Chris Styles, Expedia Cruises in Vancouver; Yvonne Anderson, Anderson Vacations in Calgary; and Sue Kos, Bee Travel in Edmonton.
Caitlyn Shearer, Tourism Manager for Visit Seattle, said: “Canada is Seattle’s top international market and as a border city it is integral we work with the travel trade in neighbouring B.C. and Alberta.”
Shearer continued: “Seattle is a favourite choice for Western Canadian travellers, so we want to continue to inspire visitation with fresh ideas.”
And with the holiday season fast approaching, Seattle offers a calendar packed with hotel deals, and festivals, special events and light displays at local favorites like The Seattle Great Wheel, Pike Place Market and Seattle Center – also home to Climate Pledge Arena where Canadians can cheer on their favourite NHL teams as they face-off against the Seattle Kraken all winter long.
February 2024 is Seattle Museum Month, when downtown hotel guests enjoy half-price admission to one of 30 participating museums. March hosts Taste Washington, the largest single-region wine and food festival in the U.S. with the Grand Tasting returning March 16 and March 17, 2024.
The Boeing Evertt Factory Tour has just re-opened after closing during the pandemic. Visitors can step inside the world’s largest factory for a behind-the-scenes look at the Boeing Everett Factory and 777 assembly line. Each tour is an 80-minute guided experience with a front row view of current airplane production, the Everett site’s history and the central role it plays in the future of commercial aviation.
In addition to non-stop air service to Seattle from Toronto and Montreal, the Emerald City is now more convenient than ever for Western Canadians with three major airlines offering flights to SEA-TAC:
From Vancouver:
- Air Canada, 5x per day, year-round
From Calgary:
- WestJet, 6x per week, Oct 29, 2023-Apr 27, 2024
- Alaska Air, 1-2x daily flights depending on season, year-round
From Edmonton:
- Alaska Air, 1-2x daily flights depending on season, year-round
In Western Canada, Seattle also enjoys daily seaplane, train and ferry service. Harbour Air flies from Vancouver and Kenmore Air from Victoria, landing in the heart of Seattle on South Lake Union. Amtrak Cascades has resumed from Vancouver, and the FRS Clipper and Black Ball Ferry sail from Victoria (the latter to Port Angeles, WA).
For more, go to www.visitseattle.org/travel-professionals .
