The Effect of the Across-the-Border Travel of Canadian Tourists on the City of Spokane: A Replication

Abstract

This 1988 economic impact study examined changes in demand by Canadian weekend travelers to Spokane. Ten variables were examined and the results were compared with data from an earlier (1982) study. Variables included point of origin, border crossings used, number of people in party, age, frequency of visits, purpose of visit, type of lodging, length of stay, expenditures, and family income. The study concludes that although the total economic impact on Spokane may be the same for the two years studied, the 1988 increase in number of visits to Spokane (from a mean of 2.5 to a mean of 2.9) would not offset the dramatic 26% drop in actual number of Canadian visitors to Spokane. Because the overall number of Canadian travelers to the state of Washington increased considerably between 1982 and 1988, the results indicate that Spokane's strategic plan for tourism should address the question of market share.