VICTORIA – For the first time since March 2020, Victoria Clipper V sailed from Seattle to Greater Victoria’s Belleville Terminal. Due to closure of the Canada-US border to non-essential travel during the COVID-19 pandemic this is the first time many American travellers have visited Greater Victoria in over 18-months, providing an opportunity for them to be reunited with friends and family as well as enjoy a world-class leisure destination.
“We could not be happier our service between Seattle and Victoria has resumed,” said David Gudgel, CEO – FRS Clipper. “Shutting down this service for an extended period was incredibly difficult. But we persevered. I would like to thank our supporters on both sides of the border, as well as our amazing employees. We look forward to playing a major part in the visitor economies of both Seattle and Victoria again.”
Health and safety are top priorities of Victoria Clipper V owners FRS Clipper. Guests are required to submit their travel information in ArriveCAN within 72 hours prior to arrival to Canada, which includes proof of full vaccination and a quarantine plan, as well as proof of a negative PCR test. Passengers are also provided material on British Columbia COVID-19 rules and regulations to ensure a smooth and enjoyable visit in the destination. At this time, only American passengers are allowed to cross the Canada-US border for non-essential purposes. Canadians are not allowed to travel into the United States.
The scheduled sailings are designed to accommodate the needs of travellers to Greater Victoria and will provide a boost to the Greater Victoria visitor economy. Victoria Clipper V has regularly scheduled sailings from Friday to Monday through January 3, 2022. Additional sailings will be added around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday weeks with the full 2022 schedule to be announced later this fall.
“It is great to see Victoria Clipper V at Belleville Terminal. It is an important transportation link for many American visitors,” said Paul Nursey, CEO of Destination Greater Victoria. “The Greater Victoria visitor economy is still in a recovery phase. We still have a lot of work to do, but the resumption of Victoria Clipper V service between Seattle and Victoria certainly aids these recovery efforts and will help many local businesses as we move into the shoulder season.”
“Watching the Clipper return to the Inner Harbour represents a milestone in the ongoing economic recovery of our region,” said Bruce Williams, CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. “The business community is thrilled that our marine borders are once again open for visitors. We want to welcome them with open arms and encourage them to enjoy all that our region has to offer.”
Destination Greater Victoria research has established visitors from the US spend 70 per cent more than Canadian visitors within Greater Victoria. In a typical year, Greater Victoria welcomes almost one million overnight visitors from the US, accounting for almost 23 per cent of total visitors and more than 29 per cent of all visitor spending – or over $400 million. Almost half of American visitors to Greater Victoria are from Washington State.
