Trarrifs could hurt Thousand Island tourism
Calling it a challenge, Fram, the director of the Thousand Islands International Tourism Council, still doesn't know what to expect from the on-again, off-again, on-again tariffs that have caused anxiety on both sides of the border.
"I'm very concerned about the impact that they will have on Canadian tourism," he said.
Trump's rhetoric about tariffs and turning Canada into a 51st state has triggered negative emotions from Canadians.
They have booed the American National Anthem at the start of National Hockey League games in Canada since Trump began talking about the issue.
And Fram has acknowledged that Canadian sovereignty and negative feelings about the United States could keep visitors away from the Thousands Islands region this summer.
The tariffs also come at time of a wide gap in the two country's dollars, with the Canadian dollar's current worth at 69 cents compared to America's.
That also could be an issue with keeping Canadians from making trips from crossing the board.
With the summer visitors season still a couple months away, he's "making adjustments" to his messaging in marketing.
That's because Canadians are the single largest group of visitors who come to the north country, so even a drop off of 10% to 15% could have a significant impact on the region's tourism dollars.
He noted that 11% of the local workforce is employed in the restaurant and hospitality industry.
But Fram has stressed the Thousands Islands and Canadian tourism industries have enjoyed a partnership for years. He pointed out that there are three Canadian flags that fly outside his offices in Alexandria Bay.
With his interest only in promoting the region's tourism and staying away from politics, it continues to benefit both markets to work together, he said.
So far, there are no signs that Canadians are canceling their visits to the Thousand Islands. But it will be difficult to pinpoint why a visitor decides not to make a trip and cancel a reservation that they have for July, he said.
According to partial figures for last month, crossings over the Thousand Islands Bridge are down from last February compared to this year, he said.
So marketing is focusing on themes such as the scenic islands, boating, beaches and lake waters. There won't be any mention about iconic American historic places to visit or reminders of the War of 1812 in the messaging.
River and lake communities depend on Canadians visiting during the busy summer tourism season. For more than 50 years, Sackets Harbor has held the Can-Am Festival to celebrate the two countries' friendship every summer.
Opening in May, the Sackets Harbor Visitors Center in the heart of the quaint village is a popular destination throughout the season.
Kathy Keating, with the visitors' center, expressed concerns about the impact the tariffs will have on her village.
"We're going to do everything we can to make Canadians feel welcomed," she said.
In Alexandria Bay, the Chamber of Commerce kicks off the summer with Victoria Day, a Canadian public holiday that celebrates Queen Victoria. The day, this year on Monday, May 19, offers Canadian visitors with specials at local businesses.
Chamber Executive Director Ashley Carlos remains optimistic about the summer, despite Trump's threats.
"I think it's going to be another successful season and everything that comes with it," she said.
Meanwhile, Fram has been talking to his Canadian tourism counterparts more often since the tariff talk began, saying that they work normally together on visits from both sides of the border. The Thousand Islands are tourist destinations for both markets and important for their economies, he explained.
Local governmental officials on both sides of the St. Lawrence River are aware of what's at stake.
"It's important to keep open the lines of communication," he said.
Fram has been doing several media interviews, including with the Toronto Star and Reuters news agency, to talk about the possible impact of the situation from the tariffs that change daily.
To promote county tourism, Thousand Islands officials also will head above the border to talk to tourism-associated organizations, such as bus charter companies, he said.
In the past, the Thousand Islands tourism industry has bounced back from the COVID pandemic when it was closed to people from coming from Canada for two summers.
Other tourism seasons were hit hard by high-water and low-water issues with Lake Ontario, which kept visitors coming to the north country.
If the tariffs cause issues this summer, Fram hopes "to look back" and see it "as a blip" with a subsequent bounce back afterward.
"We're going to get by, but it's going to take some time," he said.
Unless President Trump backs off his insistence on tariffs before the season hits full swing this summer.
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