It takes two to tango, as they say. U.S. President Donald Trump has issued some sharp rhetoric against the Canadian government. In response, the Canadian government has called upon its citizens to cancel their U.S. vacations this summer.
According to Wildwood, a summer destination for Canadians, many are taking their government’s advice.
Tourism officials in Wildwood, New Jersey, are reporting a noticeable decline in Canadian vacation bookings ahead of the summer season, with politics and travel uncertainty driving hesitation among international visitors who have long made up a significant share of the resort town’s tourism base.
“We are seeing a major drop in Canadians booking,” said Ben Rose, director of marketing and public relations at the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Authority. “We’ve had Canadians cancel, we’ve had Canadians ask us if there is some type of problem between the countries and the borders close. ‘Will you refund us if we can’t travel to the vacation destination?’”
Rose noted that this year’s anticipated decline in Canadian visitors may exceed original estimates. “We were projecting a 3–5% loss of Canadian visitors this year, we may think it’s higher,” he said.
Citing figures from Adam Sacks of Tourism Economics, Rose said current models point to a potential 23–24% drop in Canadian visitation.
Concerns stem partly from political rhetoric following President Donald Trump’s re-election and statements by Canadian officials urging citizens to avoid vacationing in the United States. According to Rose, “We’re getting calls from Canadians saying they feel unwelcomed, disrespected, they do not like the politics and most of them are saying they will see us in four years.”
Local businesses report early signs of Canadian tourism pullback
Cataldo attributed much of the slowdown to economic pressures, including exchange rates and inflation, rather than political decisions alone. However, both he and Rose acknowledged that recent headlines and diplomatic strains are adding to the uncertainty for Canadian travelers.
Wildwood and surrounding shore towns have historically relied heavily on Canadian tourists, especially from Quebec and Ontario, who often book extended summer stays and contribute significantly to the local hospitality economy. A sustained drop in that segment would have ripple effects across rental agencies, restaurants, and retail businesses throughout Cape May County.
With summer approaching, officials and property managers are watching closely to see whether Canadian bookings rebound or continue to lag, raising concerns about broader implications for the Jersey Shore’s seasonal economy.