Maine hotelier hit by trade war fallout as Canadian bookings plummet
The operator of a seaside hotel in the picturesque area of the state of Maine, a long-time favourite among residents of the East Coast of the USA during the summer season, acknowledges that he is feeling the effects of the trade war between Canada and the United States.
Pierre Janelle, a third-generation representative of the owners of The Edgewater Hotel in Old Orchard Beach, says he is increasingly receiving cancellations from Canadians who are disheartened by the policy of US President Donald Trump.
– Most people that spoke said that they just felt the uncertainty made them nervous and so they were going to cancel, but they may rebook later if things settle down – said Janelle on the programme Information Morning Nova Scotia by CBC.
Old Orchard Beach has been a popular holiday destination for residents of Quebec and the maritime provinces of Canada for decades – it’s just a day’s drive away.
The resort town in York County, about 31 kilometres south of Portland, was even recently mentioned by outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as one of the places that Canadians might avoid this year due to trade tensions.
The effect of Trump’s absurd threats
Janelle estimates that Canadians account for an average of about 18 per cent of his annual bookings.
He claims that Trump’s threats about tariffs against a longstanding trade partner and the controversy caused by his idea of making Canada the "51st state" have directly influenced consumer decisions in the tourism sector.
However, Janelle emphasises that the tourists he speaks to do not blame his family business for the actions of the White House.
– I think citizens on both sides of the border understand this is politics and they understand that it has nothing to do with the citizens. I think there's a warm relationship and I hear it on the phone – he says.
– People say, 'We love coming there. We love coming to the United States. However, we're really upset with what the government is doing.' And so they're able to differentiate.
Fewer Canadians crossing the border
According to US Customs and Border Protection data, in February, the number of people crossing the land border from Canada to the USA was nearly 500,000 fewer than in the same month a year ago.
The number of travellers entering the USA by car – the most common mode of transport – fell from 2,696,512 in February 2024 to 2,223,408 last month.
Meanwhile, Canadian tour operators hope that the trade dispute will positively affect the local industry. The Nova Scotia tourism board is currently preparing a new advertising campaign aimed at "encouraging and inspiring" domestic travel, based on the current sentiments supporting national holidays.
In the meantime, operators also hope that the weak Canadian dollar will encourage Americans to travel north.
Pierre Janelle is currently not changing his strategy for promoting his hotel because the uncertainty related to the trade conflict makes planning difficult. He assures Canadian tourists that his establishment will be waiting for them when the situation calms down. He emphasises that he understands the decisions of those cancelling their visits and respects their feelings. – We understand their frustration and the pain that they feel. To have two good allies all of a sudden being adversarial, it just doesn't seem right, – he says.
