The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce is sending a clear message to Americans planning a trip north this summer乌鸦传媒攜ou乌鸦传媒檙e welcome here.
Amid rising political tensions and cross-border chatter, the Chamber says it乌鸦传媒檚 been hearing from concerned U.S. residents wondering if they乌鸦传媒檇 be received warmly in Canada.
To ease those concerns, the organization has launched a simple but friendly campaign, a window decal that local businesses can display to show their openness to American visitors.
乌鸦传媒淥ur phone started ringing this spring,乌鸦传媒� said George Greenwood, CEO of the Kelowna Chamber. 乌鸦传媒淔rom callers in the U.S. asking if it was 乌鸦传媒榮afe乌鸦传媒� to visit Canada or if they would be welcome given the rhetoric they were hearing and seeing in the media.乌鸦传媒�
While Greenwood acknowledges the proudly 乌鸦传媒渆lbows up乌鸦传媒� Canadian response to recent talk of U.S. annexation, he said it乌鸦传媒檚 understandable that tourists might feel unsure about heading across the border.
乌鸦传媒淲hile we are proud of Canada乌鸦传媒檚 response to U.S. threats of annexation, and the 乌鸦传媒榚lbows up乌鸦传媒� reaction, we understand it can be confusing for those who want to visit or vacation north of the border.乌鸦传媒�
The Chamber designed a friendly, five-by-five-inch window sticker that reads 乌鸦传媒淜elowna 乌鸦传媒� A Warm Canadian Welcome 乌鸦传媒� We share more than just a border.乌鸦传媒�
The decals are free and available to both Chamber members and non-members. Greenwood hopes to see them popping up in shop windows, office foyers, and anywhere else visitors might look for a bit of reassurance.
乌鸦传媒淲e hope that lots of stores, offices, public offices, will display the signage,乌鸦传媒� he said.
Decals are available at the Chamber office from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Friday at 544 Harvey Avenue, or by calling 250-861-3627.