Washington Joins with New York, Montana, Vermont, Maine, North Dakota as These Northern US States Trying to Turbocharge Tourism Industry in Alluring More Canadian Tourists as Donald Trump Tariff Trade War Continues

Washington joins forces with New York, Montana, Vermont, Maine, and North Dakota in a high-stakes bid to turbocharge their tourism industries. These northern U.S. states, once humming with the buzz of Canadian tourists, are now scrambling to reverse a sharp downturn. Their mission? Allure more Canadian tourists before the damage becomes irreversible. And the clock is ticking.

As Donald Trump’s escalating tariff trade war simmers at the border, its ripple effects are slamming straight into local economies. For Washington and the rest of these northern states, the fallout is real. Hotel bookings are plummeting. Cancellations are mounting. Restaurants are empty. Campgrounds are eerily quiet. In towns that used to rely heavily on friendly waves and French-speaking neighbors from Quebec or Ontario, there’s now silence—and panic.

But there’s more to this story than meets the eye. These aren’t just isolated responses. Washington, New York, Montana, Vermont, Maine, and North Dakota are launching bold, coordinated campaigns to reclaim what’s been lost. From “Canadians-only” deals to eye-catching at-par pricing strategies, these states are going all in. The goal? Win back the loyalty of Canadian travelers just as political tension threatens to freeze decades of friendly tourism ties.

Why now? Because the numbers are chilling. A tourism slowdown linked to the Donald Trump tariff trade war is causing cracks in the foundation of border-town economies. Every passing month without Canadian foot traffic means deeper losses—and fewer jobs. These northern U.S. states can’t afford to wait.

Meanwhile, travelers are watching closely. Will these perks and discounts be enough to overcome the strong U.S. dollar and frosty diplomatic rhetoric? Will Canadian families feel welcomed—or wary? That suspense looms large.

And so, the battle to boost tourism heats up. Washington is no longer on the sidelines. Joined by New York, Montana, Vermont, Maine, and North Dakota, it’s taking bold steps. The stakes are massive. The timing? Critical.

Curious to know how these states plan to outsmart political headwinds and rescue their vital tourism lifelines? The full story unfolds next.

As the sun rises over the quiet marinas and forest-lined resorts of America’s northern border, something critical is missing—Canadian tourists. From Vermont’s bike trails to Maine’s seaside towns and New York’s lakeside resorts, businesses that once thrived on cross-border traffic are now echoing with cancellations and empty rooms.

And the numbers tell a painful story. Car trips to the U.S. by Canadian residents plunged 35% in April alone. In Vermont, hotel bookings tied to Canadian visitors are down 60%. In Montana, Canadian guest stays collapsed by 73% during the first quarter. In Point Roberts, Washington, restaurant revenues are down 50%. Across the northern border, it’s clear—Canada is staying home, and U.S. tourism is bleeding.

The cause? A perfect storm of political tension, currency disparities, and declining traveler confidence. And it’s pushing local economies to the brink.

From New York to Washington, rural communities have sounded the alarm. For many of them, Canadian visitors account for more than half of their annual revenue. In places like Plattsburgh, New York, leisure travel is nearly 70% Canadian. Without that stream of income, the consequences ripple fast—job losses, shuttered businesses, and declining public services.

Business leaders and tourism boards are reacting with urgency and creativity. In early June, New York’s North Country Chamber of Commerce launched “Cross-Border Specials,” a bold campaign aimed squarely at reviving Canadian interest. Hotels, golf resorts, and bike rental companies are now offering Canadian-exclusive discounts and perks.

Bluebird Lake Placid is knocking 30% off stays for Canadians through August. Bluff Point Golf Resort is giving away free premium golf balls. In Plattsburgh, Canadian tourists can rent elliptical bikes for free and receive beachside drink vouchers—just by showing a Canadian ID.

The same fight is playing out across Vermont. The nonprofit Kingdom Trails Association has watched its core audience of Canadian mountain bikers disappear almost overnight. The drop is already gutting small restaurants, shops, and accommodations in the Northeast Kingdom—one of the state’s poorest regions.

Jay Peak Resort, less than 10 miles from the border, has historically welcomed thousands of Canadian visitors every summer. But political rhetoric, including suggestions that Canada could become America’s “51st state,” has triggered mass cancellations. Management warns of looming layoffs if the situation doesn’t stabilize.

In response, Jay Peak has reinvigorated its long-standing “at-par” pricing policy, allowing Canadians to pay in their own currency at U.S. dollar rates—an attractive offer considering the strong American dollar.

Other Vermont tourism bodies are following suit. The Vermont Brewers Festival is offering at-par admission and is spotlighting three Quebec-based breweries at its flagship July event to deepen cultural ties and showcase unity.

Maine, meanwhile, is embracing bilingual outreach. New “Bienvenue Canadiens” signs now greet visitors at key highway and port entry points. Local hotels are joining the campaign with unique discounts and thoughtful gestures. The Kennebunkport Resort Collection, for instance, includes a bottle of champagne with their “O Canada” discount.

Across the country in Washington State, tourism businesses banded together for the “Open Arms for Canada” campaign. From Seattle’s iconic museums to luxurious border-adjacent resorts, they slashed prices for Canadian guests during a weekend blitz in May, signaling solidarity and appreciation.

Still, the damage may be deeper than many realize.

Canadian tourists spent over $20 billion in the U.S. last year and supported more than 140,000 American jobs. A 10% drop in spending equals a $2 billion loss. April’s air travel data suggests even worse—Canadian flights to the U.S. are down 20% year-over-year.

Some of the most alarming signs are coming from North Dakota, which estimates it has already lost $13.4 million in Canadian visitor spending. In Kalispell, Montana, hotels report spring cancellations so massive that one single Canadian group backing out cost a property $35,000.

This isn’t just a tourism hiccup. It’s a cross-border economic crisis.

Canadian travelers traditionally provide off-season stability to U.S. border economies. In many northern towns, they bridge the financial gap between summer highs and winter lulls. Losing them isn’t just inconvenient—it’s catastrophic.

Communities are pleading for faster, broader solutions.

Tourism authorities are calling on state and federal leaders to tone down political rhetoric, invest in Canadian-facing marketing campaigns, and explore temporary currency parity incentives. Local businesses, meanwhile, are expanding loyalty programs, launching French-language ads, and extending discount periods.

But time is running out. The busy summer season is already underway, and if Canadian travelers don’t return soon, many seasonal businesses won’t survive into the fall.

The emotional toll is rising alongside the financial one. Business owners feel abandoned. Families relying on tourism income face mounting stress. Entire communities, built over decades of cross-border friendship, are watching those bonds unravel in just months.

What happens next could shape the future of U.S.-Canada tourism for years.

If the effort to win back Canadian tourists fails, the northern U.S. will face a drawn-out economic winter. But if these communities can show empathy, build trust, and offer real value, they just might turn the tide.

The message from the border is clear: Canada, we miss you. And we need you back.

Source: CNN