Over 200 are already registered, but many, many more are expected to a so-called Nanaimo 'infusion' from south of the border in late April. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

big visit

‘My gut tells me 600 to 900:’ hundreds have booked accommodations as Nanaimo ‘infusion’ draws near

Mar 29, 2025 | 6:13 AM

NANAIMO — It’s a sudden influx of visitors, mainly Americans, into Canada — but despite recent rhetoric, this group is being welcomed with open arms.

Hundreds of visitors from all across the United States, and some further overseas, are registered, have booked accommodations and are planning their trips to Nanaimo over the April 25-27 weekend.

The initiative came about through a viral video created by local resident Tod Maffin who said around 200 people have confirmed they have booked travel through an online forum he setup, but it’s a number which he believes only represents a fraction of those actually venturing out.

“I’m thinking conservatively that one out of four people who post in the ‘we booked’ channel that represents essentially 25 per cent of the actual number. If that’s the case, then we’re looking at 800. My gut tells me 600 to 900, but it could be 200 it could be 2000, we won’t really know until people show up.”

The idea was a simple one: pick a weekend and have people visit.

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Among those confirmed to come, several are staying at area hotels, some have booked Airbnb properties, others are choosing to setup at local campgrounds.

And where they’re coming from is a long and varied list, including people from the Netherlands and two groups from Australia.

“We have a group that’s driving up from Texas, and it sounds like they’re going to pick up some other people in LA on their way up. They’re from all over, Florida, New Jersey, they are mostly in the US, mostly on the western seaboard, but it’s all over the world.”

All this has happened in around a month, with Maffin publishing his video in late February. He said it was heartwarming to see tangible support for Nanaimo, and Canada overall, from friends south of the border.

Political discourse between the American and Canadian governments continues to be tense, with repeated threats of annexation and Canada becoming the United States’ 51st state.

Maffin said, like with anything, some are against the so-called “infusion”, including a very small percentage of Vancouverites who want to keep the Island as their secret, exclusive travel destination.

He added a handful in Nanaimo are skeptical about the city’s ability to host a sudden influx like this, something which Maffin doesn’t buy.

“We have 700-800 in this city at a time on a regular basis for conventions and competitions and conferences. Most people who are local residents probably won’t notice it from like a traffic point of view, it might be a little hard to have brunch Sunday morning…but we will benefit economically in ways that I think we’ll feel for years.”

An unexpected benefit to the infusion for Maffin has been personal connections between locals and visitors.

Part of Maffin’s forum is an “Adopt an American” section, where locals and visitors can plan joint adventures so tourists can get an authentic, local experience.

“Locals are going in and describing themselves: ‘Hi, we’re in our mid 40s, and we have two kids who are 12 and 13…we’ll pick you up at the ferry…and we’ll show you some of the really cool waterfall things that the kids love.’ That’s just happening outside of the tourism organizations and outside of me and outside of the City…which I think just really speaks to what all of this really represents.”

The only event planned is for a so-called family photo to be taken at Maffeo Sutton Park on April 26, otherwise visitors are selecting their own itineraries and staying for as little or as long as they want.

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