
Maine businesses sound the alarm as Canadian tourists ditch the state as U.S trade tensions and Donald Trump’s rhetoric trigger economic backlash
Canadian tourists contributed over a third of the tourism economy in Old Orchard Beach, a resort town in Maine, reported Global News. However, things are now starting to change.
Tourism Collapse
After US president Donald Trump started the trade war with Canada and threatened to make Canada the 51st US state, Canadian tourists have started cancelling their trips to Maine, negatively impacting its economy.
The local businesses in Old Orchard Beach, where tourism is a major economic driver, are sounding the alarm as cancellations from Canadian tourists are mounting, reported Global News.
Owner of the Point Of View Inn, Sterling Morse claimed that more than 90% of his family-run hotel's bookings for the summer season began getting paused or cancelled after former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau responded to Trump's tariffs by telling Canadian, «We’re going to choose to not go on vacation in Florida or Old Orchard Beach,” quoted Global News.
Major Cancellations Lead to Financial Struggles
Paradise Park Resort owner and head of the town's Chamber of Commerce, Mike Halle, also experienced the financial pinch as Canadian tourists contribute 30% to 40% of revenue for their average seasonal business, according to the report. He shared that, “We’re up to over 100 cancellations, which is up significantly, 250 per cent or so from what would be normal this time of year,” quoted Global News.
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Feeling Powerless
The Beach Hotel's owner, JJ Mokarzel said, “It’s sad when the people at the top affect the people at the bottom, because we really are powerless,” as quoted in the report.
Boycotts and Changing Travel Plans
According to Global News, Trump's behavior and the ongoing trade tensions have led some Canadians to
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