Taylor Swift, a musician who needs no introduction, is wrapping up the highest grossing tour of all time with three shows in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Dec. 6-8, and Whatcom County is girding itself for some busy roads, full hotels and long border wait times.
BC Place, the venue hosting the shows, has shared a Know Before You Go guide for travelers coming to Vancouver. Swift has a major impact on the economy of cities she tours. After a show in Seattle in July 2023, the Downtown Seattle Association said the city hit a new single-day revenue record with $7.4 million spent on hotels and restaurants. This week, many tourgoers who were priced out of expensive Vancouver lodging have opted to book rooms south of the border, KING 5 reported on Wednesday.
Sara Holliday, the regional manager at Home2 Suites Bellingham and Hampton Inn by Hilton, said the businesses noticed an increase in occupancy “the second the concert dates were announced” more than two years ago. By January 2023, 10% of rooms were booked for the three dates at both Bellingham Hilton properties.
“So we knew by the time the concert was here, we would certainly see a massive increase in occupancy. (Which we certainly have!),” Holliday said. “As supply and demand dictates for business, we adjusted our rates for the influx of guests over those days and have been preparing our teams for the increased occupancy for about a year now.”
Typically, December is the slowest month for Hilton’s Bellingham properties, Holliday continued, but with 90% occupancy this weekend, Swift’s visit is expected to “save the month for so many properties” and boost year-end numbers.
But even for innocent bystanders, the shows could leave an impression. Swift’s performance at Seattle’s Lumen Field in 2023 caused a shake that registered as a 2.3 magnitude earthquake on a seismograph. Western Washington University professor Jackie Caplan-Auerbach, who identified what was dubbed the “Swift Quake,” was thrust into the spotlight after she shared her findings on social media.
The Washington State Department of Transportation communication team, which is apparently staffed by Swifties, released its message about the coming weekend on Wednesday.
“We’ve got some info to help you shake it off and make your trip as fearless as possible,” the announcement said. “These are sold out concerts. Don’t let the border crossing be the reason you’re crying in your car. Leave early, plan ahead, and give yourself plenty of time to make it to Vancouver in style. With multiple border crossings available, you’ll be ready for it no matter which one you choose. This is your golden opportunity to ensure your journey is as seamless as your wildest dreams.”
The U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Office confirmed there will be increased staffing at the Peace Arch and Pacific Highway ports of entry on all three nights of the concert to accommodate travelers returning to the U.S. after the shows.
“While staffing will be increased, it’s difficult to predict when and how many fans will be traveling,” a CBP spokesperson wrote in an email to Cascadia Daily News. “It’s anticipated the majority of traffic will be during non-peak travel times and the extra travelers can be absorbed by the increase in staffing. However, extended wait times are still a possibility.”
Travelers can monitor border wait times at bwt.cbp.gov.
This story was updated on Dec. 5 to include information on hotel occupancy rates in Bellingham.
Julia Tellman writes about civic issues and anything else that happens to cross her desk; contact her at juliatellman@cascadiadaily.com.
