MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • May 25, 2025
Tourism has long been one of the state’s biggest industries — even though the calendar window is small and weather dependent — but this year, political and economic factors have created new layers of uncertainty. State officials are bracing for a 25% reduction in visitors from Canada, much of it attributable to the Trump administration’s tariffs and tumultuous relationship with our northern neighbor. Will that materialize or prove an empty threat? What about other international travelers? Will they boycott travel to the U.S.? Will an increase in domestic travelers to Maine make up for any losses? And what of broader economic concerns? When the economy tightens, travel is often the first place households cut back.