Matt Levy has always managed love rounds in New York City, he can always rely on Canadians to bring to business.
“I can tell you, from 30 to 50 percent of the tours offered by my company to Canadian high school groups,” Levy said recently, moments before a group of Georgia.
Love Tours NYC, which has been working for more than two decades, has taken visitors to all major landmarks. Levy, who made many rounds himself, took thousands of Canadians throughout the city he loves.
But this year, he said that he barely had any Canadian reservations.
He said about his profits for 2024: “Two companies have made $ 35,000 from Canadian high school children who come to New York City on their class journey.” This year, it is $ 5,000, with cancellation operations every week.
Levy said that his Canadian agents do not explicitly say the reason for their cancellation, but he put two and two together.
“I know why, because my head threatens your country’s annex.”
President Donald Trump first suggested that Canada should become the state 51 in December, after winning the elections in November. The proposal has repeated several times since then, along with grievances broadcasting about the commercial relationship of the United States and Canada and border security.
This is in addition to launching a historical tariff policy against Canada and the rest of the world.
The influence on tourism was quickly and angry, as Canadians issued public advertisements about canceling their holidays in the United States or refusing to visit their southern neighbor.
Blind trips
In recent months, Canadian Airlines have reduced flights due to low demand.
The land border crossings between Canada and the United States also decreased significantly, as the march of nearly one million passengers compared to the same period last year, according to customs and American border protection.
Levy said: “I do not blame you. I will not go to my country, either if I was in your situation.”
Companies in Wildwood, New Jersey, share concerns about the sudden change of heart in Canada to travel to the United States. Jersey Shore Beach Town is a Canadian favorite, and some withdraw all the stations to ensure their return this summer.
The loss of work is described as tragic, and it affects everyone who works for his company.
He is not the only person who feels sudden freezing of Canadian tourists. There is fear and anxiety through the entire American tourism industry.
According to the American Travel Society, Canada was the highest source of international visitors to the United States in 2024, achieving 20 billion dollars and supporting 140,000 jobs.
“We love you, comrades.”
In common destinations such as Palm Springs, California, the city government began to fix signs in light of the streets that read Palm Springs ♥ ️ Canada.
Other states such as Florida and Arizona, where Canadians are a great source of tourism revenues, highlighting the alarm.
“We have a lot of snowy birds that come from Canada for long periods of time. Arizona is somewhat famous for it, so a little concern about some of these visitors who delay or end their plans to come for a long time,” Mike Hawkins of the Grand Venex Chamber of Commerce recently told Arizona’s media family.
There is also anxiety in Wildwood, NJ, a beach city in Jersey Shore, where Canadians are everywhere in the summer months so that there are hotels with names such as the Quebec Motel Hotel and the Royal Canadian.
John Donio, head of the Wildwood Business Improvingment region, is happy to report that there has been no wave of cancellation in recent months. But there is enough anxiety that he works with his fellow business owners in some new messages.
“We just want our friends to know the north that he is here in New Jersey, in Wildodes, we love you, comrades,” he said. “Always welcoming and capable here … We know that without our Canadian friends, it is not the same in Wildwoods.”
The veteran tourist guide in New York City feels side effects in the growing tensions between Canada and the United States. Matt Levy says of the spread of love rounds that President Trump’s policies that affect Canada had a brutal impact on his work.
Michael Bulero, General Manager of The Bilero, a Wildwood resort, has received a phone call from a guest with a summer reservation. She wanted to know the resort’s cancellation fees, if President Trump escalated tensions with Canada.
“Unfortunately, we said that there is no free cancellation on geopolitical issues,” Bullero said.
“It is a big family, and we have to solve it.”
Canadian visitors were guests for decades at the Quebec Motel Hotel, which was named the original owner after spending time in Canada.
Lester Katsanis, the current owner of the mutel, realizes the special relationship between Wildwood and Canadian visitors. He can remember the families who returned the summer after the summer – watching their children grow up and eventually return with the children on their own.
It is optimistic that Wildwood’s relationship with Canadians will reap risk -fraught relationships in Canada and the United States.
“It is a big family, and we have to solve it,” he said, referring to the long link between Canada and the United States, “We love you.”
Canadian travel to the United States decreased with the escalation of the trade war between the two countries. But how much is this blow to the American economy? In addition, why Canada decided that it needs more politicians.
Levy also tries to remain optimistic, so that the Canadians seem ready to choose politics on their travel plans.
“I know that Canadians have a long memory and do not forgive easily. I think New York is very distinct and very separate from American politics and identity. I think Canadians will return to New York soon.”
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