Maine Joins Montana, California, Washington, Florida, Colorado, New Hampshire, and Nevada as US Faces Sharp Canadian Travel Decline Amid Tariffs, Visa Barriers, and Global Tourism Retreat – Travel And Tour World

Maine has now joined Montana, California, Washington, Florida, Colorado, New Hampshire, and Nevada in facing a sharp drop in Canadian travel as rising tariffs, visa delays, and shifting global tourism patterns push international visitors away from the United States in 2025. Once bustling with Quebec license plates and French-speaking tourists, towns like Old Orchard Beach are now grappling with quieter boardwalks, thinner weekend crowds, and local businesses struggling to adapt. The downturn, driven by a mix of political tensions, safety concerns, and foreign advisories, signals a broader retreat from U.S. destinations once considered staples of summer vacation for Canadians and Europeans alike.

This coastal gem in Maine, long a favorite among visitors from Quebec and Ontario, is now feeling the weight of a sharp downturn in cross-border travel. The shift comes amid growing tension between Washington and Ottawa, rising visa hurdles, and a broader cooling of global tourism interest in the United States.

According to the U.S. Travel Association, international visits to the U.S. were down 14% this March compared to the same time last year. But for Canadian tourists, the drop is even more dramatic—a steep 20.2% decline. And for small towns that rely on that steady influx, like those along Maine’s southern shoreline, the financial sting is already being felt.

A Beach Town Left Waiting

The hesitation isn’t just economic. Earlier this year, Canada’s former prime minister issued a strong message advising citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the U.S., following a wave of new tariffs on Canadian exports. The symbolic move, paired with what many Canadians describe as a frosty diplomatic climate, has created uncertainty for even the most devoted cross-border travelers.

A Ripple Effect Across States

Maine isn’t alone in facing this downturn. It now joins a growing list of U.S. states—Washington, Montana, California, Florida, Colorado, New Hampshire, and Nevada—all seeing declines in international visitors, particularly from Canada and Europe.

In New Hampshire, tourism officials are sounding alarms over dwindling hotel bookings and fewer inquiries from international travelers. The state’s iconic destinations—from Lake Winnipesaukee to the White Mountains—are typically flooded with Canadians each summer. But this year, interest is waning.

Across the country, the trend is repeating.

In Washington state, Seattle’s museums, festivals, and waterfront attractions are seeing fewer foreign guests. Tour operators trace the slump to visa delays and border apprehensions, particularly among German, British, and Scandinavian tourists.

In Montana, the numbers are sobering. Kalispell saw a 36% drop in Canadian spending in February. Canadian hotel bookings have fallen 71%. Border crossings at Roosville dropped by over a quarter in March alone. For communities near the Alberta line, it’s a blow they weren’t prepared for.

Ski Towns and Coastal Hubs Hit Hard

Colorado, famed for its ski resorts, is now seeing winter reservations from abroad shrink. Places like Aspen and Vail are dealing with fewer bookings from Europe, as travelers face long visa delays and rising airfare costs. These resorts, which count on high-spending visitors for their seasonal profits, are now refocusing on domestic markets to plug the gap.

In California, the fallout is widespread. After leading the nation’s post-COVID tourism recovery, the state is bracing for a 0.7% drop in trips this year. International travel alone is expected to fall by over 9%, pulling billions from the economy. The causes range from extended visa wait times and reduced international flights to a rising dollar and fresh safety advisories issued by European nations.

California is now pouring nearly 80% of its tourism marketing budget into domestic campaigns—a pivot aimed at keeping hotels full, even if the guests come from New Jersey rather than Japan.

In Florida, the numbers paint a similarly concerning picture. International tourism remains 20% below pre-pandemic benchmarks. While there’s been a slight bump in Canadian air arrivals early this year, the broader picture shows fewer long-term snowbirds and a shrinking share of international visitors overall.

Health insurance costs, stricter visa rules, and a polarized political environment are all turning potential Canadian vacationers elsewhere. To counter the slide, VISIT FLORIDA has turned its attention to Latin America, hoping to fill the gap with travelers from Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina.

Vegas and the Capital Lose Shine

In Nevada, Las Vegas is no longer seeing the same flood of overseas foot traffic. Visitation dropped 7% in the first quarter of 2025, and February alone saw a 12% drop. Convention bookings have plunged 20%, and international casino revenues are dipping as Canadian and European travelers stay away.

In Washington, D.C., tour groups are canceling, school trips are thinning, and international museum traffic is down. European tour companies point to political instability and travel warnings as the key reasons. In response, D.C. tourism leaders are trying to rebrand the city with a focus on cultural heritage, safety, and inclusion.

A Bleak Forecast for U.S. Tourism

This isn’t just a seasonal slump—it’s a national warning sign. The World Travel & Tourism Council estimates the U.S. will lose $12.5 billion in international travel spending this year. A 10% dip in Canadian tourism alone could strip $2.1 billion from the economy and result in the loss of 14,000 jobs.

Hotels, airlines, restaurants, and attractions across the country are feeling the pinch:

• Occupancy rates are below projections
• Flight arrivals are underperforming
• Spending at cultural and historic venues is falling short

The blow isn’t limited to leisure, either—business travel, student exchanges, and event tourism are also caught in the crossfire.

What’s Behind the Drop?

A combination of three key factors is driving this downturn:

1. Visa Delays and Denials:
Travelers from Europe and South America are facing visa wait times that stretch for months, with unclear requirements and inconsistent outcomes. For many, it’s simply not worth the hassle.

2. Safety Concerns:
Widespread media coverage of gun violence and social unrest in the U.S. has prompted fresh advisories from Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium—warning travelers to exercise caution or reconsider trips altogether.

3. Political Atmosphere:
Policies surrounding immigration, travel bans, and heightened border checks are discouraging foreign visitors. Many see the U.S. as less welcoming, and they’re choosing destinations where entry feels smoother and the political climate more stable.

Other Nations Rise While the U.S. Retreats

As the U.S. loses ground, other countries are gaining it. Canada recently inked a tourism pact with Greece to promote bilateral visits. The European Union is expanding visa-free access for Asian and South American travelers, and new intra-European incentives are keeping travelers close to home.

The message is loud and clear: global tourists, including loyal Canadians, are shifting away from the U.S. and toward countries they feel are safer, friendlier, and easier to navigate.

A Call to Action for American Tourism

In the face of this global pullback, states like Maine, Washington, Montana, California, Florida, Colorado, New Hampshire, and Nevada are rethinking their strategies. Domestic tourism campaigns are growing, regional travel is being promoted, and marketing teams are rewriting their messaging for a more skeptical audience.

But without meaningful federal action—streamlined visa processing, diplomatic repair, and a clear message of welcome—the efforts may not be enough.

From the rocky shores of Maine to the casinos of Nevada, the story is the same: fewer Canadians, fewer Europeans, fewer international guests. And without them, the heart of the U.S. travel economy is beating a little softer.