13 Feb ROOST monitors changes to Canadian travel plans
The Adirondacks continue to welcome Canadian travelers
The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) has been closely monitoring the Canadian response to tariff implementation, along with continued political tension between Washington and Ottawa. The Adirondack region welcomes thousands of travelers from Canada each year; disruptions to travel across the border will affect the area in a multitude of ways.
According to ROOST CEO Dan Kelleher, Canadian travelers continue to have a strong reaction to the impact of US government policies. “Proposed and impending federal policy, particularly related to tariffs, has created unease among Canadians,” he said. “As a result, we are receiving feedback that many Canadian travelers have opted to change or cancel their US travel plans.”
Adirondack communities have always enjoyed a strong relationship with their Canadian neighbors, traveling freely and often across the border for vacations, shopping, sporting events, and day trips. International hockey tournaments, cross-border Lake Champlain boat travel, easy access to outdoor recreation, and overnight stays, have inextricably linked our region’s tourism economy with Southern Ontario and Quebec.
The Adirondack region is within a day’s drive for approximately 50% of the Canadian population (16,000,000 ON, 9,000,000 QC). This region is an easy vacation destination for many Canadian travelers – for a week, a long weekend, or even an overnight getaway. Each year, the Adirondacks welcome Canadian travelers, who share local residents’ love of the outdoors and natural beauty that the region offers.
Canadian visitors to the region contribute significantly to the local economy through lodging stays, dining at restaurants, retail and local attraction spending, and participation in local and regional events.
Kelleher continued, “Tourism is one of the largest industries in Essex, Hamilton, and Franklin counties, so we remain concerned about any negative impacts on reduced Canadian travel to our region. Just a 1% decrease in total visitation means a loss of nearly $12 million in spending at local businesses, and a reduction of up to $583,000 in local tax generation.”
The relationship between the United States and Canada, especially from a tourism perspective, is always top of mind for ROOST, as it ultimately affects each of the communities in the Adirondacks. ROOST will continue to share travel information with Canadian travel markets, encourage them to visit and, as always, work to ensure that Canadians are welcome and valued visitors to the region.
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