How Canada's Legalization of Marijuana Could Impact Tourism

Canada officially legalized recreational marijuana on Tuesday and TravelPulse chatted with some travel experts to see what kind of impact the decision might have on tourism.

Here’s what they had to say.

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“It certainly isn't everyone’s cup of tea, but neither are wine tours or alcohol tourism,” said Alex Scipione of Alex's Adventures in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. “Like it or not, the face of cannabis tourism is changing daily, especially with the changes of legislature, specifically in the United States and Canada.”

According to BBC News, the first recreational cannabis to be legally bought in Canada was purchased at midnight on Wednesday on the eastern island of Newfoundland.

“As far as Canada and its tourism [goes], marijuana will not be all Canada is about now,” said Aurelio Giordano, a travel agent and owner of Ace World Travel, which is based in Brooklyn. “Canada is a beautiful, multi-faceted country that offers everything, so this will just be another thing it now offers.”

“Personally, I am in support of the legalization of marijuana,” said Hannah Schremp of Frosch Travel in Dallas, Texas. “Cannabis has legitimate positive medical effects, it is less harmful than alcohol and tobacco, and it will increase tourism to the destinations where it has been legalized.”

But does legalizing marijuana cheapen a destination’s tourism product or hurt the destination’s luxury appeal?

Giordano pointed to Amsterdam as an example of why it will not.

“I don't think it will cheapen the product at all,” said Giordano. “Look at Amsterdam. People go there specifically for it, and it's one of the main attractions of its tourism, but the city still stands on its own without it and it always did even before. It's not all it's about.”

And Scipione also points to Amsterdam as an example of the positive effects legalizing the drug can have on tourism in general.

“The positive effects that this can have on tourism to a nation, are shown in the numbers,” said Scipione. “In Amsterdam, 25 to 30 percent of tourists that visit are there for the cannabis coffee house experience.”

But Schremp also noted that marijuana tours will be beneficial for Canadian tourism so long as they are done tastefully. After all, experiential tourism continues to be one of the hottest niches in travel.

“Maybe someday in the near future we will be able to work with a destination management company (DMC) in Canada, for example, that could provide our clients with a behind-the-scenes tour of a weed farm, or a half-day driving tour of different dispensaries, maybe even a cannabis cooking class with a well-known Canadian chef,” she said.

Advisors and clients should note, however, that the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said on Twitter that it remains illegal to take cannabis across the border.

It remains illegal to take #cannabis across the border. If you have it with you when entering Canada, declare it to the CBSA. #CannabisInCanada https://t.co/Y77F2X25re

— Canada Border Services Agency (@CanBorder) October 17, 2018

“If you have it with you when entering Canada, declare it to the CBSA,” according to the post.

“This movement will most likely attract visitors who may not have considered a trip to Canada in the past, bringing in new tourism dollars,” said Scipione. “It seems that, in this case, the benefits will out way the negative factors. I wish Canada good luck in this new venture and am interested to see what kind of changes in tourism come from this.”

According to CNN, adults of at least 18 years old will be allowed to carry and share up to 30 grams of legal marijuana in public.

They will also be allowed to cultivate up to four plants in their households and make products such as edibles for personal use, according to the CNN report.

Canadian provinces and municipalities have been preparing for months for the end of cannabis prohibition, according to the BBC News report.

“Canada has the advantage of being located in a prime spot for tourists from both the United States and Europe,” said Scipione.

Marijuana will not be sold in the same location as alcohol or tobacco, according to the CNN report.

So, what are some other destinations that agents thing should get on board with legalizing marijuana with hopes of making money from tourists?

“Honestly, Mexico, the Caribbean Islands, etc., would all benefit from legalizing weed,” said Katie Rahr Kapel, owner of Mode Travel Agency, Inc., which is based in Fargo, North Dakota. “People are on vacation. They are there to relax. Alcohol and weed are the go-to drugs. I am not saying I necessarily agree with that, but that is the reality of legalizing marijuana. I mean, what country wouldn't benefit from a travel standpoint?”

Scipione also told TravePulse she expects Barcelona, Spain to be the next getaway to fully embrace marijuana tourism as the destination has already been experimenting in the “Dutch model.”

“With the growing trend of more, and more states and countries legalizing weed,” said Schremp, “I hope there will be more education and tools for us agents to provide clients requesting this style of travel.”