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U.S.-Canada travel tensions raise questions ahead of tourist season
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — With summer nearly here, many are wondering how this tourist season will fare amid recent tensions between the U.S. and Canada.
Both countries have updated their travel advisories recently, though officials stress there's no reason for alarm. For decades, the U.S. and Canada have each placed the other at Level 1 — their lowest travel advisory rating — and that status remains unchanged as of Thursday despite recent updates.
In April, the Canadian government updated its advisory, telling citizens to 'expect scrutiny at ports of entry, including of electronic devices' when crossing into the United States. The advisory went on to say: 'Comply and be forthcoming with border authorities, and if you are denied entry, you could be detained.'
On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of State reissued its Level 1 travel advisory for Canada, continuing to consider it a 'safe destination.' The department also encouraged U.S. travelers to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) in case of emergencies.
'Hopefully this designation will help relieve some of those fears or concerns on both sides of the border,' said Patrick Kaler, president and CEO of Visit Buffalo Niagara. 'We have always had a very strong relationship with Canada.'
Mory Di Maurizio, chief operating officer of City Cruises Canada, said: 'A Level 1 travel advisory … I think the whole planet probably has a Level 1 travel advisory. Wherever you go, be safe, don't do dumb things. I don't think anybody's paying attention to it. I think they're paying more attention to, OK, what's the travel? What's the tariff deal? What's the current thing being talked about right now?'
WIVB News 4 also spoke with the mayors of Niagara Falls and Fort Erie, Canada, who say summer is the perfect time to move beyond political tensions.
'Every time we hear something out of Ottawa or Washington (D.C.) — any kind of geopolitical comments and whatnot — I think most people have become a little desensitized. We've made up our mind. We're traveling, we're going there,' said Jim Diodati, mayor of Niagara Falls, Ontario. 'We've been allies for more than 200 years. No matter what any politician says, we're going to continue having this incredible relationship hosting the world's longest un-militarized border.'
'I don't think that it's going to interfere with the good people of Western New York coming to Fort Erie, participating in some of the summer events that we have here,' said Wayne Redekop, mayor of Fort Erie, Ontario. 'And I hope it doesn't because everyone that I know is quite interested in having their friends and neighbors come back.'
Despite the optimism, the U.S. Travel Association estimates a drop in Canadian visitors to the U.S. this summer, potentially resulting in over $2 billion in lost revenue.
'Canadians and Americans should just continue to live our lives the way we've always lived them and whatever's happening 50 levels higher than us, well, cooler heads will prevail, and they'll figure it out,' said Di Maurizio.
Dillon Morello is a reporter from Pittsburgh who has been part of the News 4 team since September of 2023. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter.
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