Overcrowded hotels, long waits at the border for Taylor Swift’s BC shows

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, December 6-8, and Whatcom County is bracing for some busy roads, packed hotels etc. before long waiting times at the border.

Swift has a huge impact on the economies of the cities she travels to. After a show in Seattle in July 2023, the Downtown Seattle Association said the city hit a new daily sales record with $7.4 million spent on hotels and restaurants. This week, many travelers cashed out on pricey accommodations in Vancouver have opted to book rooms south of the border, KING 5 reported Wednesday.

BC Place, the show’s venue, has published a “What You Should Know Before You Travel” guide for travelers coming to Vancouver.

But the shows could also leave an impression on innocent viewers. Swift’s performance at Lumen Field in Seattle in 2023 caused a tremor that was recorded on a seismograph as a magnitude 2.3 earthquake. Jackie Caplan-Auerbach, a professor at Western Washington University who identified the so-called “Swift Quake,” came into the spotlight after sharing her findings on social media.

The Washington State Department of Transportation’s communications team, apparently made up of Swifties, released its message about the coming weekend on Wednesday.

“We have some information that may help you shake it off and make your journey as fearless as possible,” the announcement says. “These are sold out concerts. Don’t let crossing the border be the reason for this Crying in your car. Leave early, plan ahead, and give yourself plenty of time to get to Vancouver with style. This is the case as there are several border crossings available ready for it no matter which one you choose. This is yours golden opportunity to ensure your trip goes as smoothly as yours wildest dreams.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed that increased staff will be available 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.

“Although staffing is being increased, it is difficult to predict when and how many fans will travel,” a CBP spokesperson wrote in an email to Cascadia Daily News. “It is expected that the majority of traffic will occur during off-peak travel times and the additional travelers can be accommodated by increasing staff. However, there is still a possibility that there will be longer waiting times.”

Travelers can monitor border wait times at bwt.cbp.gov.

Julia Tellman writes about civic issues and anything else that comes across her desk; Contact her at [email protected].