Cross-border tourism trends impact Maine and Washington businesses

Border crossings from Canada into the United States are showing mixed trends, impacting regional economies in Maine and Washington. In Maine, U.S. Customs and Border Protection data indicates a five-month period of year-over-year growth in travelers entering from Canada. In July, over 306,000 travelers entered Maine via vehicles, trucks, and as pedestrians, an 11% increase from the same month in 2025, though this remains below 2024 levels.

Despite the recent uptick in Maine, the overall share of Canadian tourists has decreased from 5.4% in 2024 to 3.6% in 2025. Factors cited for lower Canadian visitation include economic pressures, exchange rates, and political tensions related to tariffs.

In Bellingham, Washington, the decline in Canadian visitors is causing significant distress for local businesses. The Bellingham Chamber of Commerce reports that 91% of food and beverage businesses and 85% of retail businesses find the decline damaging. Many businesses, particularly those open for less than 10 years, expressed concerns regarding their survival. Data from the Cascade Gateway Border Data Warehouse shows that southbound vehicle crossings from British Columbia have declined steadily between 2024 and 2026, with fluctuations occurring in mid-2025 and 2026.