American businesses react to Canadians’ U.S. travel boycott

As summer heats up and the travel season begins, some Canadians are opting not to travel to the United States. Meanwhile, New England states and local business owners are trying to attract Canadian tourists back.

Maine’s rocky, sandy beaches have earned the state the nickname “Vacationland.” But this year, Canadian visitors are down.

David Rowland, co-owner of York Beach Beer in the state, says there are fewer Canadian license plates and fewer Canadian surfers in the area this year.

“Here at Long Sands Beach, it’s usually full of Quebec and New Brunswick tourists, but it’s not like it used to be. We still have some coming, but not in the numbers we used to,” he says.

“We still have good beer, we’re friendly people, we have great waves and beautiful mountains,” Rowland adds. I say don’t be afraid of us. We’re not afraid of you. We’re sorry.”

From February to May, land border crossings into Maine were down 27 percent from a year earlier.

Other northeastern states have also felt the drop in Canadians.

“We expect to see a 20 percent drop in Canadian travel reservations to our state this year,” Massachusetts Governor Maura Haley said at a joint meeting of northeastern governors and eastern Canadian premiers in Boston.

“In Vermont, Canadian hotel reservations are down 45 percent and credit card purchases are down 36 percent. In New York City, Canadian reservations are down 45 percent. These declines, along with the supply chain disruption, have raised serious concerns about the security of travel to the United States and the potential for border incidents.”

Democrats attribute this situation to Donald Trump’s controversial statements; The one who said he wanted to make Canada the 51st state of the United States and imposed tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum imports.

“A motel owner who has been hosting Canadians for generations is now dealing with cancellations,” said Maine Governor Janet Mills. “This is more about the wounded pride of Canadians than the tariffs.”

At a news conference on Monday, when Canadian prime ministers were asked whether they would advise their citizens to travel to the United States, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt advised them to stay within Canada.

“I can’t tell Canadians to go to the United States at this time,” Holt said. “Let’s spend time at home, because our relationship has been damaged by our current leadership. And it needs to get back to normal.”

Maine has put up welcome signs at the border and at tourist attractions, and the state’s governor is traveling to Canada next week to meet with the premiers of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and promote his state.

While summer travel intentions among Canadians remain high, their willingness to travel to the United States has dropped sharply, according to a May survey by the Ledger, with only 10 percent saying they plan to visit the country this year — down from 23 percent last year.

And 75 percent of those who planned to travel to the United States said the tariffs had influenced their decision. More than half of those who had planned to go to the United States have now changed their destination. Other reasons cited included security concerns, a weak exchange rate, a feeling of being unwelcome, and delays at the border.

However, the impact of the decline in Canadians on different businesses varies.

“Fortunately, we haven’t felt much of an impact, and Canadian guests are still coming,” said Valerie Fedorchek, manager of the Nevada Hotel in York Beach, Maine.

In Old Orchard Beach, Maine, Canadians typically make up 40 percent of all visitors. Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau specifically mentioned the area and Florida when he responded to Trump’s tariffs in March, saying Canadians would avoid those places.

At the Sandpiper Beachfront Family Motel, manager Michael Reve says:
“We’ve only had a handful of cancellations, personally. One family that had seven rooms booked at the end of July canceled because of their family’s decision,” he added.

“The political situation made them want to boycott the United States.”

His brother, who runs a similar business, has reported more cancellations from Canadians. He believes the weak exchange rate and political situation have reduced tourism to the area.

“It’s sad,” Rio said. “Canadians are losing one of their favorite places, and small businesses like ours are hurting.”

Susan Ellis, owner of Johnny Shucks Maine Lobster, said the season started off weak this year, but more Canadians have come in the past week.

“I’m so happy to see them again,” she said. “I was really worried because a lot of my Canadian friends were saying they weren’t coming this year. I think about 60 percent of my customers are Canadian.”

Her message to Canadians: “We love you, come visit us. We’re here for you.”

Rio concluded: “I think this politics and this controversy is tearing us apart. "We must stick together and be careful not to get involved in political and media games."

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