PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles Downtown Association, the Red Lion Inn and Black Ball Ferry Line are rolling out the red carpet for their Canadian neighbors with an inaugural “At Par” promotion.
The promotion offers discounts to Canadians — especially those living on Vancouver Island — at local eateries and hotels, although Americans using the ferry line and staying at Red Lion are not barred from participating, organizers say.
The promotion began Monday in tandem with the resuming of the MV Coho ferry’s service to Victoria after a two-month hiatus while a new wharf was constructed at its Canadian terminal.
The promotion aims to increase local business during the offseason, Robert Utz, Red Lion of Port Angeles general manager, said Monday.
“Hopefully, it will stimulate some business right off the bat,” with tourists getting off Black Ball’s Coho “and into hotels and local businesses,” he said.
There is no question the winter months are a lean time of year for the hospitality sector, Utz said.
“Once we get through October, it gets pretty slow,” he said.
“It is a highly seasonal market, and there isn’t a lot of industry that keeps tourism afloat during the offseason.”
Symbiotic relationship
The promotion recognizes the importance of the symbiotic relationship the North Olympic Peninsula and Vancouver Island enjoy, Utz said.
Utz said the two border communities “are tied together at the hip. I think this connection is important for both the Olympic Peninsula and Port Angeles and Vancouver Island and Victoria.”
The promotion, he added, is not only a big thank you, but a welcome back,” he said.
“We’ve missed not having them here and not having the ferry service. It is just a gesture of appreciation.”
Depending on the success of this inaugural promotion, Utz said it might become an annual tradition.
“I hope so,” he said. “Maybe next year we could make it a February, March, April promotion.”
How it works
During the promotion — running now through April — participating businesses on the North Olympic Peninsula will offer products at a 27 percent discount — for the average exchange rate between the currencies — to those who present an “At Par Passport” issued by organizers, a Canadian ID or a “Get off the Rock” button received from Black Ball or a hotel.
All offers will be featured on www.GetOfftheRock.com.
“If they are Canadian, we are making this very easy,” Utz said.
“All they have to do is show a Canadian ID to our participating businesses or the Black Ball Ferry as ‘Get off the rock’ buttons that they can put on or present that would qualify them at the participating businesses for the discounts as well.”
Discounts
When patronizing participating businesses:
■ Lodging — A 27 percent discount off the daily rate.
■ Restaurants — A 27 percent discount on food purchased (not applicable to alcoholic beverages).
■ Retail — A 27 percent discount on all regular priced items (not including “on sale” items.)
Businesses welcome
Businesses who have not signed up to be a part of this promotion may still do so, Utz said.
“Let us know,” he said. “At this point, we’ve got about 30 some businesses. Anybody else that would be interested in participating can certainly reach out to me.”
For more information, email robert.utz@redlion.com.
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Reporter Chris McDaniel can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56650, or cmcdaniel@peninsuladailynews.com.
