New England governors are concerned about the decrease in Canadian tourists due to tariffs and anti-Canadian rhetoric from the U.S. government, with some states experiencing a drop of up to 60 per cent in visitors from Canada.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey mentioned that Canadian tourism to states like Maine, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont has declined significantly compared to last year, ranging from 20 to 60 per cent.

Delegations from Eastern Canada met with New England governors to address safety concerns and border activities affecting travel to the United States.

Maine Gov. Janet Mills emphasized the importance of maintaining strong ties with Canada amid challenging rhetoric from Washington, stating that Maine's tourism industry heavily relies on Canadian visitors.

President Donald Trump's comments about making Canada the 51st state and imposing tariffs on Canadian goods have further strained the relationship between the two countries.

Concerns about declining tourism from Canada were raised by leaders from Massachusetts, Vermont, and New York, with reports of reduced hotel reservations and credit card spending by Canadians.

Some schools have refrained from trips to the U.S. since Trump took office, reflecting the impact of political tensions on various sectors.

Experts like Robert Huish from Dalhousie University highlighted the negative consequences of the Trump administration's approach towards dissent and differing opinions on America's global image.

Canadian leaders, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford and New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt, are encouraging citizens to explore domestic tourism options in light of strained U.S.-Canada relations.

Overall, the decline in Canadian tourists is affecting U.S. states economically and culturally, prompting calls for rebuilding the strong bond between the two nations.

Source: BNN Bloomberg