VANCOUVER — Visit Seattle has completed its Western Canada Roadshow, which included stops in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer.

Taking place in early November, the roadshow welcomed travel advisors, tour operators and key travel trade partners, and included updates on transportation to Seattle as well as new offerings in the Emerald City.

Visit Seattle also partnered with Air Canada (Vancouver, Calgary Airport Authority and Edmonton International Airport, who respectively sponsored airfare for two for a Seattle prize trip. Winners included Chris Styles, Expedia Cruises in Vancouver; Yvonne Anderson, Anderson Vacations in Calgary; and Sue Kos, Bee Travel in Edmonton.

“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,” said Caitlyn Shearer, Tourism Manager for Visit Seattle. “Seattle is a favourite choice for Western Canadian travellers so we want to continue to inspire visitation with fresh ideas.”

WHAT’S NEW IN SEATTLE

The upcoming holiday season in Seattle is packed with hotel deals, festivals, special events and light displays at local favourites like The Seattle Great Wheel, Pike Place Market and Seattle Center. For a full list, go to https://seattleholidays.com/.

February 2024 is Seattle Museum Month, when downtown hotel guests enjoy half-price admission to one of 30 participating museums. 

In March, foodies will be converging in the city for Taste Washington, the largest single-region wine and food festival in the U.S., with the Grand Tasting returning on Marcy 16-17.

And the Boeing Evertt Factory Tour has just reopened its doors following its closure during the pandemic. Visitors can step inside the world’s largest factory for a behind-the-scenes look at the 777 assembly line. Each 80-minute guided tour includes a front row view of current airplane production and an overview of the site’s history and central role in the future of commercial aviation.

HOW TO GET THERE

It’s easier than ever for Western Canadians to get to Seattle, thanks to three major airlines. From Vancouver, Air Canada flights 5x/daily, year-round. From Calgary, WestJet flies 6x/week from Oct. 29, 2023 through April 27, 2024, while Alaska Air flies 1-2x/daily, depending on the season, year-round. From Edmonton, Alaska Air flies 1-2x/daily, depending on the season, year-round. 

In Western Canada, Seattle also enjoys daily seaplane, train and ferry service. Harbour Air flies from Vancouver while Kenmore Air flies from Victoria, landing in the heart of Seattle on South Lake Union. Amtrak Cascades has also resumed from Vancouver, and the FRS Clipper and Black Ball Ferry sail from Victoria (the latter to Port Angeles, WA).

For more information go to www.visitseattle.org/travel-professionals.