New England's restaurant industry braces for impact of Trump policies

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It's a problem that's playing out across New England as
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Tourism is the number one or number two largest industry for each of New England's six states, said Michele Cota, the executive director of Discover New England, making visitors to New England vital to the region's economy and workforce. But
In 2024,
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'That impact is being felt the hardest in our bordering New England states and we haven't heard of those bookings picking up yet,' said Cota.
Visitors walk toward an entrance to The Breakers mansion in Newport, R.I.
Steven Senne/Associated Press
Last year, 6,060 Canadian group tour visitors from Quebec alone traveled to visit the Newport Mansions, one of Rhode Island's top draws for tourists. So far this year, 47 tour groups — 40 of them from Quebec — have canceled, a loss of more than 2,520 visitors.
'If current trends continue I would estimate our total Canadian visitation – including groups, families and individuals – will drop by more than half,' said Kevin O'Leary, the director of marketing for the Preservation of Newport County.
On
Jessica Willi, the executive director of the Block Island Tourism Council, said she's hearing about the cancellations on the mainland.
'So I assume that we aren't seeing those folks,' said Willi.
Other New England states could also be competing for those same tourist dollars.
Tiled windows show a reflection of the Aloft Providence hotel in downtown.
Lane Turner/Globe Staff
Smaller cities, like Providence, get fewer international visitors compared to large cities like Boston. But
'Boston is typically not a direct competitor to Providence, except during economic or market downturns,' said Riel. 'When that happens, Boston becomes a bit more affordable, and that opens up more options for both leisure travelers and group business shopping the region.'
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While
'We're bracing for it,' said Paul Niedzwiecki, CEO of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce. 'People are hesitant to spend.'
'In years past, a stay was five or six days. Now it's three or four,' added Niedzwiecki. 'There's more availability and more inventory out there at a later time than there was in the last three or four years.'
Mac Hay (center), owner of Mac's Seafood, which operates three restaurants and three fish markets on Cape Cod, works with with two of his many H-2B visa employees, Robert Campbell and Marlene Betty, both from Jamaica, at Mac's Seafood Market in Wellfleet, Massachusetts.
Julia Cumes
Restaurants, which already face razor-thin margins, have been feeling the heat.
In
'It's all been heating up in the last two weeks,' said Rick Simone, the president of the Federal Hill Commerce Association, which represents many restaurants and other businesses in the neighborhood.
In New Hampshire, chef
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'With revenues trending downwards, anyone in the restaurant business is scared right now,' said Hennessey. 'If attendance drops much lower than we won't be able to sustain our staff costs as their costs of living continue to rise but our revenue drops.'
Some business owners said they haven't yet raised their prices, but that it's a 'constant factor in our cost management strategy,' said Emshika Alberini, the owner and chef of
'We've been cutting back on our staff during slower times and focusing more on takeout or improving staff efficiency,' said Alberini.
Paul Niedzwiecki is the CEO of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce.
John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
Some businesses are trying to work with consumers to get them in the door.
get a seven-course menu for $75.
'Our aim is simply to make that good feeling and great experience more accessible, especially in today's world where everything feels more expensive and tense,'
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Trump's tariffs affect the prices of more than just food. Acts affecting the cost of steel and aluminum imports also
raise the cost of opening
Chris Trosin, the owner of Rhode Island-based distributor
'We were growing 10 percent per year for the last three years. This year, we're flat,' Trosnin said. 'The economy is slowing a little bit. I can't spend the money. I've got to hunker down.'
'Anything discretionary is gone,' he added.
A beach in Barrington, R.I.
David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
The Trump administration's attacks on New England's states and institutions could also have a ripple effect throughout the region's economy. The White House
are saving their money instead of spending it.
'Cape Cod relies on the health and wealth of Boston and the greater Boston community,' said Hay. 'I don't stay up at night worrying about how the millions Harvard isn't going to get is going to affect my bottom line. I just want to focus more on making sure my chowder tastes good every day.'
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'But it's certainly part of the whole landscape. It's something that is incredibly concerning that could potentially wreak havoc on our business,' Hay added.
There are few bright spots in the region, mostly in the
Four- and five-star hotels are holding strong, bolstered by
are even trending ahead in bookings compared to last year, said Niedzwiecki.
'It's more families that are middle-class and budget conscious who aren't coming,' said Niedzwiecki.
Omar Mohammed of the Globe staff contributed to this report.
Alexa Gagosz can be reached at