Fewer Canadians travelling to Maine inn amid trade war

The trade war between Canada and the U.S. is having a direct impact on businesses in coastal regions, such as The Edgewater hotel in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. Pierre Janelle, a third-generation innkeeper at The Edgewater, has noticed an increase in cancellations from Canadian guests who are unhappy with President Donald Trump’s policies.

Old Orchard Beach has long been a popular destination for Canadians, with many Quebecers and Maritimers making the short drive to enjoy the picturesque surroundings. However, the uncertainty created by the trade war has left many Canadians feeling nervous about visiting the U.S. this summer.

Janelle estimates that Canadians make up around 18% of his bookings each year, so the cancellations are definitely impacting his business. He believes that Trump’s threats of tariffs and divisive rhetoric have contributed to the decline in Canadian visitors.

Despite the cancellations, Janelle has noticed that Canadians are not blaming individual businesses for the political situation. He understands that many Canadians still value their relationship with the U.S. but are unhappy with the current state of affairs.

The trade war has also had a broader impact on tourism, with nearly 500,000 fewer travelers crossing the land border from Canada into the U.S. in February compared to the previous year. This has led Canadian tourism operators to focus on promoting domestic travel and attracting American visitors with the weak Canadian dollar.

Janelle remains hopeful that the situation will improve and is prepared to welcome Canadian guests back to The Edgewater when things settle down. He acknowledges the frustration and pain felt by Canadians and emphasizes the importance of maintaining strong relationships between allies.

In response to the changing tourism landscape, Nova Scotia’s tourism board is preparing a new ad campaign to encourage domestic travel and capitalize on the sentiment surrounding Canadian vacations. Operators like Janelle are optimistic that the industry will bounce back once the trade war is resolved, and are committed to providing a welcoming experience for all visitors.