Tariffs contribute to drop in Canadian tourism, highlighting need for consistent, smart trade policies

Michigan businesses that rely on tourists see fewer Canadian visitors and a drop in spending

LANSING, Michigan — New data shows a dramatic decline in Canadian tourist visits to Michigan over the past two years is hurting restaurants, hotels and attractions across the state and demonstrates the need for lawmakers to enact smart, consistent trade policies that protect the state’s longstanding relationship with its northern neighbor.

Visits by car by Canadians into the U.S. have dropped 35% over the past two years, leading to a $4.5 billion drop in visitor spending, according to Forbes. A 30% decline in Canadian visitors to southeast Michigan between 2024 and 2025 hit restaurants, hotels and attractions especially hard as businesses experience the sudden loss of a dependable source of revenue, according to the Detroit News.

Canadian visits to northern Michigan have also plummeted, according to the CBC.

“It’s increasingly rare to see an Ontario license plate in towns across Michigan that have long depended on Canadian visitors, including Traverse City, Port Huron and Detroit,” said Mark Fisk, a spokesman for the Michigan Smart Trade Alliance (MISTA). “Small business owners need lawmakers to enact smart and stable trade policies that lower prices for families and protect our important relationship with Canada.”

“We know Michiganders value their longstanding friendship with our northern neighbor, and we know that the loss of Canadian tourism is hurting our state,” said John Sellek, a MISTA spokesman. “By enacting thoughtful, and stable trade policies, we believe our Canadian friends will return to Michigan, helping everyone from small mom-and-pop restaurants to largescale tourist attractions in places like Frankenmuth.”