‘We really miss having our Canadians around’: New data shows substantial drop in B.C. cross-border travel

Border towns in Washington state are continuing to see a drop in visitors from B.C. amid a trade war.

The days of British Columbians flocking to the United States for summer vacation appear to have ended, for now.

New data from the Border Policy Research Institute in Bellingham, Wash., shows in July there was a 29-per-cent drop in Canadian vehicles entering the U.S. at the Peace Arch and Pacific Highway crossings, year-over-year.

The institute’s director Laurie Trautman explained to CTV News that there was a nearly 30-per-cent decline in February, before cross-border traffic fell as a far as 50 per cent in April.

Last month, her data showed there were around 5,000 fewer Canadian vehicles compared to July 2024, and the institute estimates two to three people per car.

Numbers like these have rarely been seen over the last 30 years, except during the pandemic and other border-closing events.

“We saw drops after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, but again that was because people weren’t able to cross,” said Trautman.

“There’s really no other situation.”

According to International Trade Administration foreign travel is down across the United States.

The World Travel and Tourism Council projects the country is on pace to lose $12.5 billion in international visitor spending this year.

Birch Bay the exception?

The small American-Canadian border town of Birch Bay appears have avoided the effects of the travel boycott.

The local Chamber of Commerce says the town has seen an influx of domestic tourists from Washington and out of state.

“We’re seeing a lot more of what I call ‘U.S regional business,’” said Sacha Sanguinetti, the event co-ordinator for the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce.

The C Shop has been in business in Birch Bay since 1971 and has been a staple for tourists to visit and pick up a sweet homemade treat.

Over those years, Keith Alesse and his family have watched waves of changes, including the pandemic, but have always adapted to stay afloat.

This year, they have watched the number of B.C. licence plates in their parking lot vanish.

“We really miss having our Canadians around,” said Alesse.

Business remains steady despite the lack of Canucks stopping by. Alesse says revenue has only dropped around 2 per cent year-over-year.

Alesse understands the cross-border tension and is hoping for a resolution between the two countries quickly. He’s also hopeful Canadians will return when that day comes.