Canadian Tourism Down in North Dakota

(Photo by Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)

(North Dakota Monitor) – Border crossings for personal vehicles into North Dakota from Canada were down about 30% for the first half of this year compared to 2024 a trend that could stem from the U.S. executive branch’s policy and rhetoric.

The North Dakota Department of Commerce estimates that Canadian visitors spent roughly $14.4 million less in the first six months of 2025 than they did over the same time period last year. The department monitors border crossing numbers from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

“We are obviously watching the Canadian travel patterns and are concerned,” said Sara Otte Coleman, the director of the agency’s Marketing and Tourism Division.

Relations between the U.S. and Canada have been under stress since President Donald Trump took office. For one, the Trump administration currently has a 35% tariff on most imports from Canada. Canadian leaders have also expressed offense at certain comments made by Trump officials  like the president’s suggestion that Canada become the 51st state.