May 27, 2025 | Ottawa, Canada

By Troy Tyrell | Owner, Tsquared Personal Training | May 27, 2025

📢 Subscription to WBN and being a Contributor is FREE. Click here to begin reading or writing with us!!!

As King Charles III and Queen Camilla conclude their high-profile two-day visit to Ottawa, the ceremonial spectacle has translated into something far more tangible for Canada’s business sector: a swift, sizable boost in local commerce and renewed international attention on Canadian brands.

While some viewed the trip as largely symbolic, local businesses, especially in Ottawa’s core, were quick to capitalize on the economic ripple effect left by the royals’ presence.

Capital Gains: Hotels, Hospitality, and Foot Traffic Surge

Hotels in downtown Ottawa saw occupancy rates soar to nearly 100% with elevated pricing models in place for the week. Upscale venues like The Château Laurier and boutique inns around the Glebe and ByWard Market reported record bookings. According to Ottawa Tourism, the hospitality sector experienced a 20% jump in revenue over a typical May weekend.

Restaurants launched royal-themed specials—scones, high tea menus, and limited-edition ales flew off the shelves. Local pub The Thistle & Crown had its best weekend since Canada Day 2023.

“Anytime you can draw people from around the world to your front door, you say yes,” said Allison Webb, a manager at a downtown café. “We had lines out the door and even got picked up by a U.K. travel blogger. That’s marketing we couldn’t afford otherwise.”

Entrepreneurship Meets Opportunity

The cultural showcase at Lansdowne Park became a goldmine for local artists, Indigenous vendors, and community businesses. Those featured near the King’s walkabout sold out of merchandise and received waves of attention across social media.

Noah Whitecloud, director of the Anishinaabe Creators Co-op, said, “We turned a month’s worth of stock in one day. We’ve now got inquiries from galleries in Toronto and London, UK.”

This is what happens when business preparation meets public spectacle, branding turns into bookings, and local turns global.

Temporary Disruption, Long-Term Exposure

While enhanced security created temporary road closures and traffic delays, many business owners saw it as a fair trade for long-term visibility. Some fitness studios, retail spaces, and delivery services had to pivot operations, but creative thinking paid off.

“I know the challenges of adapting your schedule on the fly,” I tell my clients every day at Tsquared Personal Training in Vancouver, and this week, Ottawa’s entrepreneurs did just that. Some even offered “royal wellness” promos or capitalized on the global attention with flash sales.

Canada’s Brand Gets a Royal Polish

The visit didn’t just benefit Ottawa. Destination Canada reports a 12% spike in international tourism searches, especially from the UK, Australia, and India. Media coverage of King Charles delivering the Speech from the Throne (a historical rarity) positioned Canada as both modern and steeped in tradition, an ideal balance for international audiences.

Expect cities like Vancouver and Victoria to leverage this wave as soft marketing for royal tourism packages and local heritage promotions.

The Takeaway: When Ceremony Meets Commerce

Whether you're running a café in Ottawa or a fitness studio in Vancouver like me, moments like this show how quickly national attention can become a local business opportunity. Visibility, connection, and readiness, those are the real metrics of success when royalty rolls into town.

Troy Tyrell
WBN Business Correspondent
Owner, Tsquared Personal Training – Vancouver
📍180 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC
Helping Vancouver move like royalty, one gravity session at a time.
📢 Subscription to WBN and being a Contributor is FREE. Click here to begin reading or writing with us!!!

#Royal Visit Canada #Ottawa Business #Small Biz Boost #Canadian Economy #Shop Local #Tsquared Training #WBN News Global #Royal Tour 2025 #Business With Impact #Vancouver Biz #Troy Tyrell

Share this article
The link has been copied!