Global weed tourism is at full throttle and can only improve from this point thanks to lowered travel restrictions, the development of COVID-19 vaccines, and, most importantly, the implementation of better cannabis policies in some countries across the globe.
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The COVID-19 pandemic put the global tourism sector on hold. Travel restrictions were put in place to prevent inter-state and cross-country travel. The tourist sector was basically dead at the pandemic’s peak, and all destinations were closed off to visitors. The economies of local areas, whose primary source of income and employment is tourism, suffered. It was also during this period that cannabis use boomed in top countries around the world. This gave governments an idea of making the tourism sector lucrative as things normalized.
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Weed tourism in 2022
One of the significant differences between this year’s tourism expectations and previous years is the prevalence of legal marijuana in Northern America and other Western countries. Recreational marijuana is allowed in 17 states and the District of Columbia. These areas had a steady stream of tourists annually before the pandemic. Tourists from all over the world now have another excellent reason to come into the country, and that reason is weed. According to the Cannabis Travel Organization, cannabis tourism has ignited the overall tourism sector in the country. They explained that it serves as an enhancer for the other sectors in the country and gives visitors something new to look forward to during their American visit. Cannabis tourism has brought and will bring more people to visit hotels, restaurants, and events during their stay.
There are some high expectations for this new tourist niche. Governments have been preparing since last summer for the influx of tourists who