Latest news with #SpreadLoveTours
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'I don't blame you': U.S. tourism hot spots mourn Canadian travel cancellations
For as long as Matt Levy has been running Spread Love Tours in New York City, he could always rely on Canadians to bring him business. "I can tell you, 30 to 50 per cent of the tours that my company gives are for Canadian high school groups," Levy recently said, moments before giving a tour to a group from Georgia. Spread Love Tours NYC, which has been in business for more than two decades, takes visitors to all of the major landmarks. Levy, who does many of the tours himself, has taken thousands of Canadians around the city he loves. But this year, he said he has barely any Canadian bookings. "My company grossed $35,000 exclusively from Canadian high school kids coming to New York City for their class trip," he said about his 2024 earnings. This year, he's at $5,000, with cancellations happening every week. Levy said his Canadian customers aren't saying explicitly why they're cancelling, but he has put two and two together. "I know why, and it's because my president is threatening to annex your country." President Donald Trump first made the suggestion that Canada should become the 51st state in December, after his election victory in November. He has repeated the suggestion many times since, along with airing grievances about the U.S.-Canada trade relationship and border security. That's in addition to unleashing a historic tariff policy against Canada and the rest of the world. The effect on tourism came fast and furious, with Canadians making public declarations about cancelling their U.S. vacations or refusing to visit their southern neighbour altogether. Cancelled trips In recent months, Canadian airlines have reduced or cancelled flights due to a drop in demand. Land border crossings between Canada and the U.S. have also dropped significantly, with March showing close to a million fewer travellers compared to the same period last year, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. "I don't blame you. I wouldn't come down to my country either if I were in your situation," said Levy. WATCH | How one NYC tour guide is feeling the effect of fewer Canadians travelling to the U.S.: He describes the loss of business as heartbreaking, and that it affects everyone who works for his company. He's not the only one feeling the sudden freeze from Canadian tourists. There is fear and concern across the entire U.S. tourism industry. According to the U.S. Travel Association, Canada was the top source of international visitors to the U.S. in 2024, generating $20 billion US and supporting 140,000 jobs. 'We love you guys' In popular destinations like Palm Springs, Calif., the city government has begun installing banners on streetlights that read Palm Springs ♥️ Canada. Other states like Florida and Arizona, where Canadians are a top source of tourism revenue, are sounding the alarm. Mike Huckins of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce recently told media outlet Arizona Family, "We have a lot of snowbirds that come in from Canada for long periods of time. Arizona is kind of famous for it, so a little concerned about some of those visitors delaying or ending their plans to come for an extended amount of time." There's also worry in Wildwood, N.J., a Jersey Shore beach town where Canadians are so ubiquitous in the summer months that there are hotels with names like the Quebec Motel and the Royal Canadian. John Donio, the president of the Wildwood Business Improvement District, is happy to report there hasn't been a wave of cancellations in recent months. But there is enough of a concern that he's working with his fellow business owners on some new messaging. "We just want our friends up north to know that here in New Jersey, in the Wildwoods, we love you guys," he said. "You're welcome here always … and we know that without our Canadian friends, it's just not the same in the Wildwoods." WATCH | N.J. beach town wants its Canadian visitors to come this summer: Michael Bolero, general manager at the Bolero, a resort in Wildwood, got a telling phone call from a guest with a summer booking. She wanted to know about the resort's cancellation fee, in case President Trump escalates tensions with Canada. "Unfortunately, we did say that there's no free cancellations on geopolitical issues," Bolero said. 'It's a big family, and we have to resolve it' Canadian visitors have been guests for decades at the Quebec Motel, so named by the original owner after he spent time in Canada. Lester Katsanis, the current owner of the motel, is acutely aware of the special relationship between Wildwood and its Canadian visitors. He can recall families who've returned summer after summer — watching their children grow up and eventually return with kids of their own. He's optimistic that Wildwood's relationship with Canadians will survive the fraught state of Canada-U.S. relations. "It's a big family, and we have to resolve it," he said, referring to the longstanding bond between Canada and the U.S. "We love you." WATCH | Will dwindling Canadian tourism sting the U.S. economy? Levy is also trying to remain optimistic, even as Canadians seem set to choose politics over their travel plans. "I do know that Canadians have a long memory and don't forgive easily. I do think that New York is very distinct and very separate from American politics and identity. And I do think that Canadians will return to New York soon."
CBC
17-04-2025
- Business
- CBC
'I don't blame you': U.S. tourism hot spots mourn Canadian travel cancellations
Social Sharing For as long as Matt Levy has been running Spread Love Tours in New York City, he could always rely on Canadians to bring him business. "I can tell you, 30 to 50 per cent of the tours that my company gives are for Canadian high school groups," Levy recently said, moments before giving a tour to a group from Georgia. Spread Love Tours NYC, which has been in business for more than two decades, takes visitors to all of the major landmarks. Levy, who does many of the tours himself, has taken thousands of Canadians around the city he loves. But this year, he said he has barely any Canadian bookings. "My company grossed $35,000 exclusively from Canadian high school kids coming to New York City for their class trip," he said about his 2024 earnings. This year, he's at $5,000, with cancellations happening every week. Levy said his Canadian customers aren't saying explicitly why they're cancelling, but he has put two and two together. "I know why, and it's because my president is threatening to annex your country." President Donald Trump first made the suggestion that Canada should become the 51st state in December, after his election victory in November. He has repeated the suggestion many times since, along with airing grievances about the U.S.-Canada trade relationship and border security. That's in addition to unleashing a historic tariff policy against Canada and the rest of the world. The effect on tourism came fast and furious, with Canadians making public declarations about cancelling their U.S. vacations or refusing to visit their southern neighbour altogether. Cancelled trips In recent months, Canadian airlines have reduced or cancelled flights due to a drop in demand. Land border crossings between Canada and the U.S. have also dropped significantly, with March showing close to a million fewer travellers compared to the same period last year, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. "I don't blame you. I wouldn't come down to my country either if I were in your situation," said Levy. WATCH | How one NYC tour guide is feeling the effect of fewer Canadians travelling to the U.S.: He describes the loss of business as heartbreaking, and that it affects everyone who works for his company. He's not the only one feeling the sudden freeze from Canadian tourists. There is fear and concern across the entire U.S. tourism industry. According to the U.S. Travel Association, Canada was the top source of international visitors to the U.S. in 2024, generating $20 billion US and supporting 140,000 jobs. 'We love you guys' In popular destinations like Palm Springs, Calif., the city government has begun installing banners on streetlights that read Palm Springs ♥️ Canada. Other states like Florida and Arizona, where Canadians are a top source of tourism revenue, are sounding the alarm. Mike Huckins of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce recently told media outlet Arizona Family, "We have a lot of snowbirds that come in from Canada for long periods of time. Arizona is kind of famous for it, so a little concerned about some of those visitors delaying or ending their plans to come for an extended amount of time." There's also worry in Wildwood, N.J., a Jersey Shore beach town where Canadians are so ubiquitous in the summer months that there are hotels with names like the Quebec Motel and the Royal Canadian. John Donio, the president of the Wildwood Business Improvement District, is happy to report there hasn't been a wave of cancellations in recent months. But there is enough of a concern that he's working with his fellow business owners on some new messaging. "We just want our friends up north to know that here in New Jersey, in the Wildwoods, we love you guys," he said. "You're welcome here always … and we know that without our Canadian friends, it's just not the same in the Wildwoods." WATCH | N.J. beach town wants its Canadian visitors to come this summer: Michael Bolero, general manager at the Bolero, a resort in Wildwood, got a telling phone call from a guest with a summer booking. She wanted to know about the resort's cancellation fee, in case President Trump escalates tensions with Canada. "Unfortunately, we did say that there's no free cancellations on geopolitical issues," Bolero said. 'It's a big family, and we have to resolve it' Canadian visitors have been guests for decades at the Quebec Motel, so named by the original owner after he spent time in Canada. Lester Katsanis, the current owner of the motel, is acutely aware of the special relationship between Wildwood and its Canadian visitors. He can recall families who've returned summer after summer — watching their children grow up and eventually return with kids of their own. He's optimistic that Wildwood's relationship with Canadians will survive the fraught state of Canada-U.S. relations. "It's a big family, and we have to resolve it," he said, referring to the longstanding bond between Canada and the U.S. "We love you." WATCH | Will dwindling Canadian tourism sting the U.S. economy? Canadians are avoiding the U.S. Will its economy suffer? 3 days ago Duration 25:32 Canadian travel to the U.S. has plummeted as the trade war escalates between the two countries. But just how much of a blow is this to the U.S. economy? Plus, why Canada decided it needs more politicians. Levy is also trying to remain optimistic, even as Canadians seem set to choose politics over their travel plans. "I do know that Canadians have a long memory and don't forgive easily. I do think that New York is very distinct and very separate from American politics and identity. And I do think that Canadians will return to New York soon."
CBS News
21-03-2025
- Business
- CBS News
U.S.-Canada tariffs hurting New York's tourism industry, businesses say
The back-and-forth tariffs between Canada and the U.S., along with discussion of Canada becoming a 51st state, has many Canadians looking elsewhere when it comes to booking vacations. Those in the tourism industry say the travel changes are hurting New York's bottom line. This new trend follows President Trump's tariff threats and talks of annexation between the U.S. and Canada. Fewer Canadians are spending their dollars traveling to New York. Matt Levy, owner of Spread Love Tours, says it's been a rough start to 2025. "Oh man, it's a mess. It's a hot mess," Levy said. He's been in the business for more than 20 years and says our neighbors to the north aren't visiting like they used to. "I've lost easily more than 60% of my industry from Canadian groups," Levy said. "In all honesty, if I were Canadian, I wouldn't want to come down here and spend money in this country." Canadian tourism makes up 25% of Levy's business, and a large chunk of tourism spending for New York City. A new report from Tourism Economics projects a 15% drop in Canadian visitors to the U.S. this year - the largest drop for any foreign country. That means less money for New York, which the U.S. Travel Association says is one of the top five most-visited states for Canadians, along with California, Texas, Florida and Nevada. Al Qanun with Toronto-based Comfort Tours buses Canadians in and out of New York City. He says his company has lost 50% of its bookings, dating back to when Trump first started talking about making Canada the 51st state. "That is when we had a complete, like screeching halt on all our bookings," Qanun said. "Unfortunately it completely has stopped and ... people are canceling as well." Some Canadians still made it across the border. A high school group from Vancouver visiting Lower Manhattan said they were only here because the trip was already paid for. "A lot of Canadians are very proud to be a part of Canada," student Lukas Williams said. Will he come back to America? "I don't know. I don't think so," Williams said.
New York Times
19-03-2025
- Business
- New York Times
How Trump's Hostility to Canada Is Inflicting Pain on N.Y.C. Tourism
More than one million Canadians visited New York City last year, injecting hundreds of millions of dollars into the local economy. Now, they are canceling trips in droves. School groups have called off end-of-semester trips. So have busloads of retirees, as well as newlyweds planning honeymoons, friends celebrating birthdays and a family from Quebec that had planned to visit twice this year. Often, the reason cited is President Trump's escalating hostility toward Canada and repeated threats to make it the 51st state, which has stirred sweeping pledges to boycott American goods and abandon over-the-border vacations to the United States. The cancellations could inflict damage on the economy in the city, where Canadians spent an estimated $600 million in 2024, and hinder the tourism industry's recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. The havoc could also extend statewide. Cities and towns along the border with Canada, for instance, rely on tourism from their northern neighbors who often make same-day shopping trips. Nearly four million Canadians visited New York State in 2023, according to the most recent data available from the state, and spent more than $1.7 billion. 'When you piss off a country and threaten to annex them, they are not going to want to travel here,' said Matt Levy, the owner of the New York City tour guide company, Spread Love Tours, whose business with Canadian groups is on pace to decline 50 percent this year. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. Already a subscriber? Log in. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
