Latest news with #WelcomeCanadians
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
North Country businesses report drop in Canadian visitors
A survey of hotels, restaurants and retailers in the North Country suggests businesses in the hospitality industry saw fewer Canadian visitors in March because U.S. tariffs and Canadians are responding. Garry Douglas, president of the North Country Chamber of Commerce, says the feedback from businesses reflects the expected decline in Canadian plans to visit the North Country this year. 'We saw a 16% decline in cars at the Champlain border crossing in February and, while we don't yet have March numbers, we expect this number to be larger for the last month,' Douglas said. The Chamber says more than three-quarters of the businesses surveyed — 76% — say the political climate and tariffs are the main cause the decline in business; 43% also blamed the decline to the exchange rate. which is about 70 cents now. Other findings from the survey include: One in four businesses say Canadians make up 26-50% of their customers; More than 13.3% says Canadians are more than 50% of their business; Major retailers estimate that 30% of shopping traffic is driven by Canadians; About 60% of businesses report that 25-50% of their revenue is generated by Canadian visitors More than quarter of business in the survey say they have reduced staffing in response to the decreas n visitors from Canada. North Country businesses turn on the charm to bring back Canadian visitors With so much of its economy tied to Canadian tourism, the Chamber is asking North Country businesses to join its Welcome Canadians campaign. The Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau is providing businesses with signs and other materials to create and spread 'a consistent, region-wide message of welcome.' 'While overall visitation numbers may be down, it's important to remember that Canadians are still crossing the border and choosing our region as their getaway,' says Kristy Kennedy, the bureau's vice president of marketing and tourism. The bureau is also amping up its advertising in Montreal and expanding efforts into New York's 'drive markets' to help boost lost visitation. 'For some perspective on the stakes, a Chamber study in 2004 estimated that Canadians were spending $310 million annually in just Clinton County, including shopper. tourists and other visitors,' Douglas says. 'Even without applying inflation since then, the economic impact is huge, and the impact of any significant drop is large as well.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
North Country businesses turn on the charm to bring back Canadian visitors
As Canadians' view of the United States plummets amid a trade war and talk of a '51st state,' North Country business groups are launching a charm offensive aimed at tourists from Quebec. The North Country Chamber of Commerce said on Facebook this week that Canadian visitation dropped 16% in February. Meanwhile, Statistics Canada reported that the number of Canadian-resident return trips from the U.S. by auto in February was down 23%. Trump's tariffs threaten tourism in North Country Along with tariffs and a weak exchange rate, 'shifting political perceptions' are to blame, the chamber said. The group cited a March poll that found only a third of Canadians have a favorable view of the United States. With so much of its economy tied to Canadian tourism, the Chamber is asking North Country businesses to step up. The Welcome Canadians campaign is aimed at creating and spreading 'a consistent, region-wide message of welcome.' 'Canadian visitors have long been a cornerstone of our local economy,' the Chamber says. 'Many Canadians are still coming — let's make them feel extra welcome!' A cornerstone of the campaign are bilingual signs and posters created by the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau. The signage is being made available to stores, office buildings, restaurants and other businesses, along social-media graphics. The Bureau has a Tips for Canadians page that includes details on what can brought back to Canada, current border wait times, duty-free allowances, and more. A 'What Else?' list suggests ways the business community can show its appreciation for Canadian tourist dollars. It starts with delivering 'exceptional hospitality': 'A warm smile, a friendly 'Bonjour!' and great service go a long way.' Other tips include: Fly a Canadian flag; Train staff in basic French greetings Offer Canadian-friendly promotions Engage on Quebec social media North Country leaders have been bracing for the impact on tourism from President Trump's tariffs for weeks. Plattsburgh Town Supervisor Michael Cashman said in mid-March that Canadians were feeling the effects of tariffs, which raise the price of goods they purchase here and bring back home. 'We're already starting to hear that Canadians are pulling back from their plans to come down to the United States,' Cashman said. With the Welcome Canadians campaign, North Country businesses hope to change that. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
