Tourism industry publication Travel and Tour World reports that visits to Puerto Rico from Canada are increasing even as tourism from Canada to the states has fallen by about 10% since President Trump turned off our northern neighbors.
Canadians are avoiding most American destinations
Historically, Canadian tourists have been the largest population of foreign visitors to the United States, sending some 20 million visitors each year. Since President Trump began calling for the annexation of Canada, those numbers have plummeted. The year-over-year figures for March, for example, show a 31.9% reduction in land travelers and a 13.5% drop in those coming by air, according to Oxford Economics. This is part of a sharp overall decrease in foreign visitors to the states.
In some cases, this is a matter of political backlash, as Canadians take offense at Trump’s remarks and tariffs. But a report from the BBC also notes that Canadian tourists have been detained under new stricter border policies, and that some don’t feel safe coming to the U.S. under the current political climate. In fact, “former prime minister Justin Trudeau recently urged his fellow Canadians: ‘Now is the time to choose Canada,’ adding, ‘it might mean changing your summer vacation plans to stay here in Canada.’”
Las Vegas, a destination that used to receive half its international visitors from Canada, is working hard to entice them to return. In fact, many U.S. cities and states are rolling out the welcome mat for Canadian tourists, with special promotions and welcoming messages, but these efforts have not prevented the continuing drop.
Why is Puerto Rico an exception?
Many Americans are not aware that Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States. There is no reason that Canadians should be better informed.
Canadians can visit Puerto Rico for 180 days without a visa and can drive legally with their Canadians licenses while on the Island. It is just as convenient for Canadian tourists to make Puerto Rico their destination as to choose Las Vegas or Florida, another popular U.S. destination in the past. Puerto Rico makes an attractive alternative to stateside tourist areas.
Social media suggests that Canadians who understand the relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States may still be thinking of the Island as a place that is less likely to be unwelcoming to Canadians or to involve them in uncomfortable political discussions.
The post Puerto Rico Experiences a Canadian Tourism Surge appeared first on PUERTO RICO REPORT.
