Canadian tourist drop squeezes Washington
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Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios
Canadian tourists aren't visiting like they used to, and Washington is feeling the pinch.
Why it matters: The Evergreen State relies heavily on short trips from Canadian visitors to fill hotels, shops and restaurants, but tariffs, shifting federal policies and heightened friction have depressed border-state tourism, according to a new report from Democrats on the congressional Joint Economic Committee.
State of play: The report ties the decline specifically to political tensions and tariff policies from the Trump administration.
- "President Trump's destructive trade war with Canada has dealt a tremendous blow to small businesses across Washington state, especially those along our northern border who rely on cross-border tourism to stay afloat," U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) told Axios.
The big picture: Border crossings for passenger vehicles from Canada to Washington fell 24% in the first 10 months of 2025 compared with the same months in 2024, steeper than the national decline of 20%, per the committee report.
- Of the 60 Bellingham businesses surveyed for the report, more than half reported losses due to the decline in cross-border travel.
- Ridership on the Seattle-Vancouver Island Clipper ferry is down 30% this year, prompting layoffs, per the JEC report.
- State of Washington Tourism spokesperson Michelle McKenzie tells Axios that hotels, restaurants and other businesses are seeing declines tied to lower Canadian visitation, with the regions closest to British Columbia hit hardest.
Zoom in: Visit Seattle spokesperson Joey Thompson said that while 2025 totals won't be known until next year, the city is forecast to see a 27% drop in international overnight visitors, driven by the fall-off in Canadian travel.
- Last year, 1.7 million Canadians visited Seattle and King County, making up 73% of international tourists, and spent $586 million, per Visit Seattle.
What they're saying: "Picking a fight with a neighbor and close ally like Canada doesn't help anyone," Murray said of Trump's policies.
The other side: The White House did not address tourism or Canada directly in response to request for comment on the JEC report.
- "President Trump was elected on his promise to carry out the largest mass deportation operation in history — and he's delivering," spokesperson Abigail Jackson said in an email to Axios. "His number one priority is the safety and security of American citizens. Removing criminal illegal aliens protects Americans, creates safer communities, and better conditions for business to thrive."
What's next: Some local tourism groups are launching promotions for Canadians while others are pivoting their marketing toward U.S. travelers to offset the losses, according to McKenzie, of the state tourism group.