Tariffs remain a sticking point, Williamson said, primarily in industries like steel, aluminum, lumber, and dairy. Meanwhile, rhetoric such as referring to Canada as the “51st state” and concerns about border crossings have dampened enthusiasm for travel. Recently, the CABC launched an initiative called Project Enforcement to combat misinformation about border-related issues.
The CABC projects that Canadian tourism may decline by as much as 20% this winter (although long-term snowbirds visitation is expected to remain relatively steady thanks to real estate investments and medical tourism).
Despite these challenges, Williamson emphasized that opportunities are growing. The Canadian visitor market is shifting younger, with more travelers in their 20s, 30s, and 40s seeking outdoor recreation and scenic destinations – making northern Arizona especially well-positioned to benefit.
And while tensions might run high between Washington D.C. and Ottawa, local level Canadians leaders remain eager for peer-to-peer relationships between mayors and regional partners, he said. Building these relationships – and well as reaching out to Canadians who spend extended time here – is where Williamson sees the greatest potential moving forward.
His closing message was clear: while national politics may grab the headlines, the Canada–Arizona relationship remains resilient and full of potential, particularly for rural and northern Arizona communities ready to welcome new generations of Canadian visitors and investors.
