BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- Bellingham hotels are enjoying a boost in bookings this summer thanks to Canadian shoppers.

Best Western Lakeway inn manager Larry Macdonald says the higher duty-free exemptions that started in June are encouraging more Canadians to stay overnight.



He says the Lakeway inn has seen a 75 percent increase in walk-in bookings compared to last year at this time.

The new duty-free limits mean that Canadian shoppers can now take home $200 in purchases for a 24-hour visit, but that limit jumps to $800 for a 48-hour visit.

The previous limits were $50 for a 24-hour visit, and $400 for a $48-hour visit.