North Dakota Braces for Quiet Labor Day After $57 Million Canadian Tourism Hit
Updated
Updated · TheTravel · Sep 6
North Dakota Braces for Quiet Labor Day After $57 Million Canadian Tourism Hit
3 articles · Updated · TheTravel · Sep 6
Summary
$57 million in lost Canadian spending last year has North Dakota expecting a subdued Labor Day, usually a strong border-shopping weekend for Manitobans.
Canadian travel habits shifted toward domestic trips and destinations such as Mexico, Portugal and Italy, while a renewed U.S.-Canada tariff fight has further discouraged cross-border visits.
North Dakota's tourism data already showed the strain in 2025: visitation fell 2.6% to 25.6 million, spending slipped 1.2% to $3.4 billion, and Canadian border crossings dropped 23.9%.
State officials are still trying to lure Canadians back with Manitoba billboards and outreach from business leaders, but border retailers say the usual holiday traffic is unlikely to materialize.
The weakness mirrors a broader U.S. tourism slump that has cost $790 million as Canadians boycott or redirect travel, raising risks for the fall and holiday season.