Bellingham, Wash. businesses say continued decline in Canadian visitors damaging

The Bellingham Chamber of Commerce has conveyed a dire outlook on how the ongoing drop in Canadian visitors is impacting their businesses. The food and beverage industry is the hardest hit, with 91% of businesses stating the decline is damaging, and 64% expressing concerns about their survival. Retail establishments echo this sentiment, with 85% finding the decrease damaging and 60% worried about their future.

Tourism and visitor services report a 67% damage rate, while 70% of other community services agree the trend is harmful.

Based on data from the Cascade Gateway Border Data Warehouse, vehicle crossings from B.C. to the U.S. have been in a steady decline from 2024 to 2026, although there were brief increases in April, May, and June of 2026 before another drop in July. When queried on the impact of Canadian visitors, 63% of respondents strongly agree the decline is damaging, with an additional 26% expressing agreement. Just 1.5% strongly disagree.

In response to the dwindling number of Canadian visitors, 57% of businesses say the trend is severely damaging their operations, while 37% have made adjustments. Of those changes, 73% are long-term or permanent. Businesses that have been in operation for less than a decade are particularly worried, with 67% expressing concerns about their survival.