Canadian Tourism Slump Hits U.S. Border States as Political Tensions Rise
In a typical day at Bluff Point Golf Resort in Plattsburgh, New York, up to 20-30 Canadian vehicles were once common fixtures in the parking lot. However, over the past several months, this has drastically reduced to just one or two, as stated by resort owner Paul Dame.
The decline coincides with strained relations between the U.S. and Canada following President Trump’s declaration of intent to annex Canada earlier this year and imposing steep tariffs on its neighbor to the north. This, coupled with a strong US dollar, has raised concerns about the impact on U.S. tourism from Canada, a crucial source of revenue.
Recent data by Statistics Canada confirms a significant drop in cross-border travel, with only 1.7 million Canadian residents returning to their country by motor vehicle from the U.S. in July – a decrease of nearly 37% compared to July 2024. Similar trends are reflected in statistics published by the International Trade Administration, which shows a nearly 17% decrease in Canadian visits to the US between January and May 2025, compared to the same period in 2024.
The U.S. Travel Association has acknowledged this decline in Canadian travel, stating that it “continues to show a decline in travel from Canadian residents to the United States, consistent with the recent Canadian data released.”
Tourism companies in regions such as Buffalo Niagara have also reported feeling the impact of reduced Canadian travel, affecting everything from small tour groups to tour boats with fewer passengers. Leah Mueller, vice president of sales and services at Visit Buffalo Niagara, confirmed this decline, stating that while it hasn’t stopped events from happening, it has impacted the revenue generated.
Canada was the top source of international tourists to the United States last year, contributing 20.4 million visits and generating $20.5 billion in spending, supporting 140,000 U.S. jobs, according to a report by the U.S. Travel Association.
Efforts have been made to counteract this tourism slump. In June, Maine Governor Janet Mills made an official visit to Canada to encourage Canadians to visit her border state, which saw nearly 800,000 Canadian visits in 2024. Maine has also installed new road signs welcoming travelers from the north, reading: “Bienvenue, Canadiens!”
Paul Dame, the golf resort owner, has redirected some of his marketing efforts to other parts of New York and Vermont. He expressed hope for a resolution between the U.S. and Canada, understanding the personal and emotional impact of the current political climate on his long-term Canadian customers. “It’s a very personal situation,” he said. “They’ve been attacked personally, and it’s emotional.”