As someone who works in the tourism industry I can vouch for the massive decline in visitors. FL doesn't have an income tax because we collect so much sales tax from tourism. FL will be ok due to running a great state budget. Other areas will see big drawdowns because Floridians also know how to compete to win tourists business.
Hotel owners will also bleed which is why I find this fascinating coming from a hotel owners
nice people with money will come because it doesn't impact them
I guess we're all bad people without money, then.
I have to prove I have enough money to drive to Alaska. Every country wants to know you can afford to go home. This is so basic. All it tells me is that everyone wants to come here but no one wants to have standards.
oh so "prove to THIS government that you're "nice" "? That's what American Freedom means?
I've put off two flights, so far. Everyone else I know has also decided to travel to someplace else.
It's not just the perceived personal risk; it's also the general impression that nobody wants us to come.
I’m a regular visitor to Florida. It’s one of the few destinations we can get a direct flight to and many Newfoundlanders escape there for the winters. I have seen a marked decline in desire to travel to the US - less as a complete boycott and more as an apathetic view.
Attitudes towards foreigners matter.
We have seen a big drawback from our friends up north. Between the exchange rate and fud from the Canadian government it's a tough sell
I'd say the policies of the current US administration might have a part to play in it, with continually increasing friction at the border, 51st state talk, and the tariffs. No FUD necessary.
I live a short drive from the border and would make a few trips per year usually. I've met a lot of good people in Montana & North Dakota. As it stands I haven't been to the US for over a year now, and don't care to go anytime soon. It's easier now to just stay here and spend my money locally, rather than in a foreign country.
I have several clients in Canada. One comes down regularly to bass fish in FL and we always have breakfast and compare notes of the state of affairs with our governments. I had no idea the Canadian government banned outside media from social platforms in 2023. My boss is Canadian and his parents have split opinions about everything based on his mom not using social media and his dad is consumed by it. Neither of our governments are making it easy to be good neighbors
Yes I mean if you’re tuning into CBC only and not checking any other sources, there is a clear slant. I don’t think completely unjustified, but amplified for sure. (I have really strong opinions about the CBC - and discuss its use cases frequently…).
Neither government is making it easier - but it certainly is more difficult for Canadians at the border since trump’s first administration. That coupled with the narrative does nothing for relations.
I’ll still be visiting my warm family, but with a little less enthusiasm - and a little more commentary on border controls.
