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New York is trying to lure Canadian tourists back. Will it work?
🇨🇦 Canada /Economy & Trade

New York is trying to lure Canadian tourists back. Will it work?

From Global News · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • New York City is launching a "Northern Neighbor Deal" to attract Canadian tourists back.
  • The initiative offers 30% discounts on over 85 tourism and hospitality businesses.
  • Canadian tourism to NYC has declined due to factors including trade tensions and the current U.S. administration.

New York City is actively seeking to win back Canadian tourists, who have become hesitant to visit due to escalating trade tensions and perceptions of the current U.S. administration. The city's tourism board, NYC Tourism + Conventions, has unveiled its "Northern Neighbor Deal," a promotional campaign designed to entice visitors from Canada.

I don’t have anything against Americans. It’s just the current administration.

— Bruce NewmanA New Brunswicker explaining his boycott of travel to the United States.

The "Northern Neighbor Deal" offers significant discounts, providing Canadian travelers with 30% off at more than 85 participating tourism, hospitality, and entertainment businesses across the city. This initiative aims to counteract a noticeable dip in Canadian visitors, a market that historically ranks second for international tourism in New York.

I’m one little guy and this is the statement that I can make and apparently a lot of other Canadians feel the same way.

— Bruce NewmanBruce Newman on his personal decision to alter travel plans in response to U.S. trade policy.

Julie Coker, president and CEO of NYC Tourism + Conventions, acknowledged the pause in travel for some visitors, stating, "We are here and welcoming them and ready when they are." She noted that while Canada remains a crucial market, the city has experienced a decline, with annual Canadian visitors dropping from nearly one million before the pandemic to approximately 800,000 in 2025. This represents a roughly 19% decrease from the previous year.

There has been a pause for some visitors, and we respect that and understand that. And we are here and welcoming them and ready when they are.

— Julie CokerJulie Coker, president and CEO of New York City Tourism + Conventions, on welcoming Canadian visitors back.

While tourism officials anticipate a slight increase to about 820,000 Canadian visitors this year, numbers remain below pre-pandemic levels. The promotion runs from August 18 to September 7. Experts suggest that the shift in Canadian travel sentiment has moved from an initial emotional reaction to a more sustained reality, impacting tourism patterns.

We understand that there are some factors out of our control in terms of the sentiment that Canadians may have toward the U.S.

— Julie CokerJulie Coker acknowledging external factors influencing Canadian tourism to the U.S.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Global News. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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