Bud & Breakfast - The Dawn of Cannabis Sparked Tourism
Legalization is still pending in many parts of the USA and Canada, but that has not stopped cannabis-related tourism from rising to the occasion. In fact, several provinces and states have seen massive rises in searches for "marijuana tourism". For instance, Alberta had a 48% increase in marijuana tourism searches, Arizona had a 91% increase in the same and California had a whopping 299% increase in individuals searching “marijuana tourism�. Even outside of North America, places are seeing a spark in cannabisrelated tourism with a 262% increase in marijuana tourism searches in Jamaica. This just goes to show you the power that cannabis has as an industry.
The Birth of “Canna-Tourism”
So why the huge trend towards cannabis-related tourism? The answer is simple - more people are using weed. Additionally, legalization has made smoking marijuana less of a stigma, so people are able to enjoy it more freely. This is great news for individuals who use marijuana for medicinal purposes, as now there are more options for them to travel with their medication. It also benefits recreational users who might want a little extra relaxation on their vacation. In addition, individuals living in locations that haven't legalized cannabis are turning to cannatourism to light up. With this growing trend for marijuana tourism, many bed and breakfast owners, AirBnB options and other rental locations are opening up to the idea of providing cannabis-friendly travel. In fact, there has been a significant rise in “Bud and Breakfast” locations across North America. Specifically in Colorado, California and Washington but even Hawaii and Alaska are getting in on the action. For instance, Bud and Breakfast, an AirBnB style website that matches users with cannabisfriendly rentals and hotels, launched in April 2015 with a single accommodation. It now has over 500 listings worldwide and they are expecting continued growth. In addition, Hotels.com reported a 64% increase in searches for accomodations in Seattle in 2014 when the first recreational marijuana retailers opened. In Colorado, a survey found that 48% of all tourism in the state was marijuana related, despite the fact that no tourism agency endorsed or promoted cannabis as a Colorado attraction.
Cannabis Tourist Attractions
Hand-in-hand with the rise of canna-tourism comes cannabist attractions and events. Many states already celebrate 4/20, but some have added in additional marijuana celebrations in lieu of legalization being passed. Just some examples of this trend include: ● The Nor-Cal High Times Cannabis Cup in San Francisco this summer ● Spannabis in Barcelona this Spring ● Los Angeles and their Haute cannabis cuisine event ● My 420 Tours in Denver ● A Pot Tour By Bike in Portland ● And more! With the increase in legalization, marijuana events, local and online cannabis dispensaries, such as Fair Canna Care, as well as bud and breakfast locations, it is no surprise that the cannabis industry is the fastest growing in North America! Let us know - is a bud and breakfast something you would try? Sources: https://kushtourism.com/cannabis-tourism-trends-statistics/ https://budandbreakfast.com/ https://www.bustle.com/articles/140104-i-stayed-at-a-bud-breakfast-and-heres-what-happened https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/blog-the-rise-of-the-marijuana-holiday-and-canna-tourismn439 http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/americas/weed-marijuana-us-holidays-states-wherecannabis-is-legal-la-portland-denver-seattle-amsterdam-a7324736.html