Northeastern U.S. governors met in Boston. Their goal was to address the enormous loss in Canadian tourism, which is increasingly hurting their states’ economies. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey recently warned of an anticipated 20 percent drop in Canadian tourists this year. Her counterparts from Maine, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Connecticut recently agreed they were experiencing the same phenomenon during an in-person meeting.
Representatives from Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador were in attendance. It was intended to improve relations between the U.S. and Canada through rising tensions and disputes over trade tariffs. Healey highlighted the $1 billion drop in Canadian tourism to Massachusetts. States such as Maine, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont have experienced drops of 20 to 60 percent from this time last year.
Vermont’s numbers show just how serious this drop has been. The state has especially felt the impact of a 45 percent decline in reservations from Canadian visitors. In real terms, credit card spending has plummeted by 36 percent. In New York City, bookings from Canadian tourists have dropped by 45 percent too.
Maine is already seeing a 26 percent decline in tourism from February to this April this year. For one, Maine Governor Janet Mills underscored their state’s heavy reliance on tourists from across the border. For our Canadian friends—today, every year, more than one million Canadians visit Maine.
“We value that relationship more than anything.” – Janet Mills, Maine Governor
During the meeting, Mills articulated the importance of fostering relationships in light of the “dangerous rhetoric coming from Washington.” This public statement provides a glimpse into the rising frustration felt by northeastern governors over the role that U.S. political leadership plays in shaping bilateral relations.
Recently, Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressed similar concerns in a call to action that closely mirrored the governors’ message. To that end, he asked Canadians to vacation at home rather than in the States. In his letter, Ford cautioned that the worsening political climate is already taking a toll on Canadian tourists.
“So it will be a tough time for Canadians working and dealing in the U.S. Doing business abroad should not come at the cost of undermining our national values.” – Ontario Premier Doug Ford
New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt did not mince words on the matter. She’s no longer able to advise Canadians to travel to the United States at this time. Holt made the case that it would be better to redirect travelers to visit her province’s attractions instead.
“I’m going to tell them to spend some time at home, because the relationship has been challenged by leadership and we need to get back to normal.” – Susan Holt, New Brunswick Premier
For Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, it was the kind of situation that was “thrust” upon you. He emphasized the importance of acknowledging the role that external factors have played on tourism dynamics. Secondly, he emphasized the chasm between the two countries is not an artificial divide established by the local leadership.
“Nobody here created this situation … this divide between our countries.” – Tim Houston, Nova Scotia Premier
Houston noted that discussions of Canada joining the US as the “51st state” have made Canadians nervous. This new-found discomfort has led to an unwillingness to head south.
“And Canadians, you know when they hear the talk of the 51st state stuff, we’re pretty ticked off about that. It kind of makes us really, really upset.” – Tim Houston, Nova Scotia Premier
Participants in the meeting underlined a historic opportunity for Canadian provinces and northeastern U.S. states. They are reeling from a drop in tourism — a decline exacerbated by U.S. political rhetoric and by tariffs on Canadian products such as steel and aluminum, recently instituted by President Donald Trump.
