California governor urges Canadians to ignore Trump, come back for sand, sun and wine

Canadians’ Boycott of Travel to the U.S. Affects California’s Tourism Industry

The ongoing boycott of travel to the United States by Canadians is having a significant impact on California’s tourism industry, particularly on the state’s sandy shores. This has prompted Governor Gavin Newsom to make a social media plea to urge Canadians to come back and enjoy the Golden State’s wine, sun, and surf.

In a video posted on social media, Governor Newsom emphasized that Canadians should not let their disagreements with U.S. President Donald Trump prevent them from visiting California. The video is part of a $5.2 million advertising campaign aimed at luring Canadian tourists back to the state. Newsom did not explicitly mention Trump in his message but instead focused on promoting California’s attractions.

The decline in Canadian visitors to California has been attributed to various factors, including the ongoing tariff war between the U.S. and Canada, a weak Canadian dollar, reports of travelers being detained by U.S. officials, and Trump’s controversial statements about annexing Canada. Despite recent efforts by Trump to improve relations with Canada, his administration’s stance on various issues continues to deter Canadian travelers.

According to California tourism officials, visits by Canadians dropped by 12 percent in February compared to the same period last year. Governor Newsom’s plea for Canadians to return to California comes as the state estimates that Canadians are the second-largest international spenders in its tourism economy.

In response to the decline in Canadian visitors, Gavin Newsom launched an international campaign to welcome Canadians back to California. The campaign aims to reassure Canadian travelers that they are always welcome in the state and should not let political tensions affect their travel plans.

The impact of the boycott on California’s tourism industry is also evident in British Columbia, where U.S.-bound traffic at Lower Mainland border crossings has dropped significantly. B.C. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon commended Canadians for choosing not to visit the U.S. and emphasized the need for all tariffs to be lifted to improve relations between the two countries.

Travel agents in Canada have reported a sharp decrease in travel to the U.S., with leisure travel almost coming to a standstill. Many Canadians have opted to travel to other destinations such as Europe, Asia, and Mexico instead. The California tourism campaign is seen as a positive step towards rebuilding trust and encouraging Canadians to reconsider traveling to the state.

Despite the challenges facing California’s tourism industry, Governor Newsom’s plea for Canadians to return to the Golden State reflects a broader effort to rebuild relationships and promote tourism between the two countries. As the situation continues to evolve, both government officials and travel industry professionals are working to address the concerns of Canadian travelers and create a welcoming environment for future visits to California.