Maine Tourist Season Hurt by MAGA
Elections have consequences, even for tourism, even in Vacationland
Back in March, I speculated about what would happen to tourism in Maine this summer in light of tariffs, inflation, and the mess Trump has created in international relationships. “Maine is Vacationland, right?” I wrote. “Maybe not as much this year, given how the Trump regime is roiling foreign markets, offending foreign residents, and battering the US economy.”
Turns out that the Maine tourist industry is indeed having a rough time. The impact is seen most clearly in a drop in visitors from Canada. Travel and Tour World reports that “Maine’s coastline, once teeming with Canadian vacationers in the summer months, is now unusually quiet. In Old Orchard Beach, where Canadians typically make up 40% of the tourist population, hoteliers are facing widespread cancellations. Many longtime Quebec visitors who vacationed there for generations are now choosing to stay home—or travel to other countries in protest of U.S. politics.”
Canadian vacations to Maine have declined 27.5 percent compared to previous years, and some hotels have seen 20 percent lower Canadian business than the same month last year.
It’s not just Canadian touristing that is slower. Reservations in general are slow, and many are last-minute. Charlotte Gill of the Seawall Motel in Southwest Harbor told NewsCenter 6 that they are seeing fewer bookings on shorter notice. She said that “bookings are down about 15 percent, and many bookings are coming in three to four days before guests plan to arrive.”
Economic uncertainly plays a part in this trend. People aren’t sure about their finances, both short- and long-term, and there’s uncertainty about the price they will pay for everything from gas to restaurant meals. On-again, off-again tariffs make markets uneasy and prices unpredictable.
Maine isn’t alone in missing Canadians, either. Travel and Tour World reports that other states are experiencing the same June slowdown:
· Florida: flights from Canada are down 70%.
· California: arrivals from Canada are down 15%.
· New York: border crossings from Quebec have dropped more than 40%.
· Las Vegas: Canadian spending is 6.5% lower.
· Texas: reports cite 28-30% less Canadian business.
And it’s not just Canada. International arrivals in the US are down 14%, a drop blamed on immigration restrictions and trade wars. The United Kingdom, Denmark, Germany, and Finland have actually issued travel advisories for their citizens contemplating travel to the United States. The detentions of foreign nationals at US airports haven’t helped.
But wait, there’s more.
Just before July 4, Trump signed another in his endless list of Executive Orders, this one directing the National Park Service to increase entrance fees for non-citizens at national parks. No word yet on the size of the increase, but businesses around national parks like Acadia National Park are wary. Adding one more disincentive to visit the US could only make matters worse.
As I said in the headline, elections have consequences. It’s time to start gearing up for the mid-terms next November. If we can break MAGA’s control of Congress, even just one chamber, we can slow down and maybe even undo some of the damage.
Remember why The Blue Yankee exists:
1. Make sure Mainers get good information and understand the impact national policy has on them.
2. Retire Susan Collins in 2026.
3. Do everything we can to ensure that Democrats continue to control the Blaine House and the state legislature. All politics is local, you know.
I’ll keep doing what I can on these three aspirations. What you can do is continue to be informed, carefully examine the candidates, ask tough questions, and VOTE!
And protest! The next big national day of protest is Thursday, July 17. “Good Trouble Lives On” is a tribute to the late civil rights icon and Congressman John Lewis, and we need it to exceed the 5 million people who turned out for the No Kings protests in June. Activate Maine has a calendar where you can find an event near you.