Canadian Tourism Decline Hits US Border Communities Hard

Canadian tourism has long been a staple of life in the US' North Country region, but the ongoing international tensions have caused a significant decline in visitor numbers. The impact on local businesses is substantial, with hotels, campgrounds, and marinas reporting a 30% decline in bookings. The North Country Chamber of Commerce has launched a "Cross-Border Specials" campaign to woo Canadians back, offering discounts and perks to visiting Canadians. Similarly, neighboring Vermont has seen a halving of Canadian visitors to its mountain bike trails, with small shops, restaurants, and accommodations being impacted.

Key Takeaways:

• The North Country region of New York has seen a 30% decline in hotel and campground bookings due to the decline in Canadian tourism.
• The North Country Chamber of Commerce has launched a "Cross-Border Specials" campaign to attract Canadian visitors, offering discounts and perks.
• Vermont's mountain bike trails have seen a halving of Canadian visitors, impacting small shops, restaurants, and accommodations.
• Jay Peak Resort in Vermont has seen cancellations start after President Trump's comments on Canada becoming America's "51st state" and have worsened since then.
• New York business owners are in the vanguard of residents working to woo Canadians back and sweeten the message with Canadian-only deals.
• Emma Arian, the executive director of Vermont Brewers Festival, has decided to roll out at-par pricing for their two-day craft beer event in July.
• The Vermont Brewers Festival is partnering with three Quebec breweries to participate in the event, serving craft brews alongside their American counterparts.
• Maine Governor Janet Mills has unveiled new signs reading "Bienvenue Canadiens" along interstates and at ports of entry.
• Hotel groups in Maine have launched "Canadian special" discounts, with hotels in the Kennebunkport Resort Collection offering an "O Canada" discount of up to 15%.