NYS reports sharp drop in Canadian visitors amid political tensions

ALBANY — Canadian visitation to New York State dropped by more than 26% in 2025, according to state tourism data set to be released Friday.

The decrease comes as relations between the United States and Canada are strained as a result of federal policy changes made by the Trump administration, including shifts in border policies and a 50% tariff on certain Canadian imports. President Donald Trump, who in the past made comments about making Canada the 51st state, this week paused the implementation of the tariffs and said a trade deal is pending.

Canada, which shares New York’s northern border, represents the state’s largest inbound international market for travelers, and a significant decline means less dollars spent, according to the 2025 report from Empire State Development provided to Newsday.

"Canada is a strategic and vital ally to New York, and the state's tourism businesses are feeling the impact of fewer visitors traveling to our communities," Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a news release provided in advance to Newsday.

Spending from Canadian travelers decreased by 28% from $1.71 billion in 2024 to $1.23 billion in 2025, the ESD report found.

The decrease in Canadian travelers disproportionately impacts border communities and vacation regions that rely heavily on those visitors, said Ross Levi, vice president and executive director of tourism at Empire State Development.

In an effort to boost cross-border tourism, Hochul on Friday is expected to launch a "NY LOVES CANADA" promotion on the I LOVE NY website. The promotion will highlight deals on hotels, attractions, dining and other opportunities for Canadian travelers across the state in the final weeks of summer, with some deals running through December, according to the release.

"Our message is one of love: New York loves Canada, despite whatever headwinds may challenge our fellowship, this new program is our invitation to Canadian travelers," Hochul said in the release. "New York and Canada are neighbors by geographic destiny, but we are friends by choice, and we want our Canadian companions to know that they are welcome in New York State."

Tourism is the second-largest private industry in the state with an economic impact of over $150 billion, according to Empire State Development.

Overall tourism increased by 1.1% in 2025 with 321 million visitors who spent $97.6 billion, according to the report.

Long Island saw the largest percentage growth in tourist spending of any region in the state, up 6.3% over 2024, led by tourism to Suffolk County, according to a regional breakdown from Empire State Development. Suffolk County had 60% of the Island’s regional tourism sales, $5 billion in direct visitor spending.

Islandwide, visitor spending increased to $8.4 billion and tourism-related employment grew to over 80,000 jobs, according to the regional tourism report.

Tourism on the Island yielded $989 million in state and local taxes in 2025.

The increase in tourism is largely thanks to growth in domestic travel, Levi told Newsday in an emailed statement.

"The strength of that sector was largely able to offset a drop in international travelers, led by significant losses in travel from Canada, New York's biggest international market," he said. "Were it not for factors like the chaotic and harmful federal tariff policies and the resulting political rhetoric that drives down visitor sentiment, the tourism numbers may have been even stronger."