In 2025, Western New York and several neighboring states are experiencing a significant decline in Canadian tourism, a situation that is reshaping local economies dependent on cross-border visitors.
Once a steady stream of Canadian tourists flocked to Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Vermont, Maine, Washington, and Michigan.
As these regions once thrived on the influx of spending from Canadian travelers, particularly on shopping, dining, and day trips, the stark reality of a substantial downturn has become evident.
The tourism slump is not merely a seasonal dip; it represents a fundamental shift in travel habits and economics.
With fewer Canadians crossing the border, hotels are quieter, restaurants are serving fewer patrons, and retailers are missing out on familiar accents, leaving communities grappling with the economic fallout.
This decline in tourism has raised concerns among local leaders and businesses alike, who are now exploring collaborative strategies to attract visitors back.
The Canadian travel slump affects border regions like Western New York harder than others, as cross-border tourism has historically been a significant part of their economic landscape.
The tourism patterns highlight a troubling trend, with double-digit declines in border crossings being reported from Niagara Falls to Michigan’s border towns this year.
For Western New York, the impacts are palpably felt in the Buffalo-Niagara region, which, just last year, was bustling with Canadian visitors.
However, data from May 2025 indicates a sharp decrease in traffic along key borders such as the Peace and Rainbow Bridges, revealing a 22% to 29% drop in border crossings compared to the previous year.
Overall, land entries through New York State have plunged by approximately 25% this year, and these numbers extend into the greater Upstate region.
Canadian interest in local tourism websites in the Adirondacks has dipped by as much as 50%, a statistic many local businesses find alarming given their heavy reliance on Canadian tourism revenue.
In Northern New England, Vermont and Maine also face an uphill battle.
The allure of Vermont, known for its stunning mountainous scenery and cultural charm, along with Maine’s rugged coastline, has not been enough to deter the sharp decline in Canadian visitors.
Vermont has seen around 581,000 Canadian crossings in early 2025, indicating a 23% reduction compared to the same period in 2024.
In Maine, fewer than 90,000 international entries were recorded in May and June this year.
The CAT ferry service connecting Nova Scotia to Bar Harbor also saw a 20% setback in traveler numbers.
Washington State, particularly Whatcom County which relies heavily on Canadian shoppers and vacationers, recorded a startling 35% decline in Canadian crossings in May 2025.
This trend has persisted into summer, with further declines of about 29% reported in July.
Local business owners are expressing their disappointment, stating that the absence of Canadian visitors has drastically impacted their profits.
Michigan, too, understands the repercussions of this tourism decline.
The Detroit-Windsor and Port Huron-Sarnia crossings are significant gateways for Canadian tourists headed south into the Midwest.
However, by March 2025, the state experienced an 11% drop in border entries, with car travel down by 18%.
At the Port Huron Blue Water Bridge, the number of passenger vehicles crossing fell by 20% compared to the same month in 2024, leading to noticeable declines in attendance at local sporting events and concerts.
Even North Dakota, which has found its niche in attracting visitors from Manitoba, is feeling the squeeze.
Between dwindling Canadian visitors and tightened budgets, cities like Grand Forks and Fargo are reporting sharp declines in tourism revenues.
Montana has taken a hit as well, particularly at key border crossings such as Roosville and Sweetgrass, where entries have fallen by about 25% in spring 2025, marking a sharp decline in hotel bookings and associated expenditures.
However, the issue extends beyond border towns, as larger U.S. tourism destinations like Las Vegas and Florida are also experiencing noticeable decreases in Canadian tourists.
Vegas, known for its appealing winter getaways, has seen a 15% dip in Canadian visitors in the first half of 2025, while Florida is facing cancellations and softer booking levels.
High-level factors contributing to this downturn include political tensions between the U.S. and Canada, such as the introduction of tariffs and retaliatory measures, prompting an informal boycott from many Canadian travelers.
While some Canadians are making deliberate choices to vacation domestically or explore international options, others cite concerns about border crossing experiences and rising costs as further deterrents.
The economic implications are severe, especially in Western New York, where hotel revenues have declined, leading to a 7% drop in lodging tax revenue.
Local attractions like the Aquarium of Niagara have reported attendance declines, around 18% in July alone, while businesses throughout the region are feeling significant impacts on their bottom lines.
Tourism experts warn that the lasting effects of a Canadian tourism slump could cost the U.S. billions in revenue and threaten tens of thousands of jobs across the country.
In response to this alarming trend, tourism boards and local governments are working collectively to re-establish the connection with Canadian tourists.
Initiatives such as targeted advertising campaigns focusing on Canadian audiences and efforts to highlight discounts and special offerings are being implemented to entice Canadians back.
Local chambers of commerce are promoting messages reinforcing Western New York’s welcoming nature, with slogans like “Buffalo Loves Canada” aimed at rebuilding trust.
Moreover, community leaders are advocating for improved border crossing experiences to mitigate wait times and create a more favorable entry process for visitors.
The future of Western New York’s thriving tourism industry hangs in the balance.
Tourism boards recognize that a solid array of year-round experiences—including festivals, exhibitions, and winter attractions—is crucial for drawing in both international and domestic visitors and compensating for the decline in Canadian travel.
Reflecting on the years leading up to 2025, Western New York’s tourism sector flourished considerably, with visitor spending hitting record levels in 2023 and 2024.
The Greater Niagara region saw a stunning $3.76 billion in visitor spending in 2023, boosting employment opportunities significantly throughout the area.
Erie County alone recorded $2.42 billion in tourism revenue as tourist sites such as Niagara Falls State Park and the Buffalo AKG Art Museum saw visitation rise sharply.
However, the early months of 2025 introduced a stark contrast, revealing a worrying decline in occupancy rates and hotel revenues.
By March, hotel occupancy dropped to 49.2%, mirroring a challenging transition for the sector after such robust growth in previous years.
The downturn, spurred largely by diminished cross-border travel, poses significant obstacles for the vibrant tourism sector the region has built over the years.
Without an influx of Canadian visitors, local businesses are forced to adjust their strategies, including offers and promotions to woo tourists amid falling occupancy rates.
The looming economic ramifications extend beyond solitary businesses; they threaten to destabilize the support systems tied closely to tourism, including restaurants, retailers, and transport services that rely heavily on visitor spending.
With mounting financial pressure on local businesses that cater to tourists, the sustainability of jobs within the region is at stake.
Elected officials and tourism leaders are advocating for immediate federal actions to ease trade tensions and repair the relationship between the U.S. and Canada, underscoring that a coordinated approach is essential for revitalizing border tourism.
Historically, cross-border tourism has shown resilience and adaptability in the face of challenging political or economic climates.
Thus far, efforts to address the downturn have been met with a Modicum of hope that Canadian visitors may return to their traditional haunts in the U.S.
With positive measures in place to facilitate mutual understanding and goodwill between the neighboring nations, the prospect of rejuvenating Canadian tourism in Western New York remains possible.
However, the clock is ticking; businesses and communities are feeling the strain of the current tourism lull and recognize the pressing need to take action before the void becomes permanently entrenched.
Restoring the flow of Canadian visitors to the region will entail a multifaceted approach encompassing sound political initiatives, targeted marketing efforts, and heightened community engagement to rebuild trust and showcase the benefits crossing the border still holds.
As the situation evolves, both the United States and Canada must unite in pursuing effective solutions that demonstrate shared aspirations and reaffirm the long-standing friendship between the two countries.
image source from：travelandtourworld
