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

The Bellingham Chamber of Commerce has highlighted the severe impact of the declining number of Canadian visitors on local businesses in the city. The food and beverage sector is the hardest hit, with 91% of its establishments reporting that the decline is damaging, and 64% expressing concerns about their survival. Similarly, 85% of retail businesses deem the situation damaging, with 60% worried about their future.

Tourism and visitor services, along with other community services, also report the decline as damaging, with 70% and 70% of them feeling similarly.

According to data from the Cascade Gateway Border Data Warehouse, there has been a steady decline in the number of B.C. vehicles crossing southbound at border checkpoints from 2024 to 2026, although there were some exceptions. While crossings increased between April and June of 2026, they declined again in July. When asked about the effect of Canadian visitors on their Bellingham businesses, 63% strongly agreed and 26% agreed. Only 1.5% strongly disagreed.

Forty-seven percent of all businesses reported that the drop in Canadian visitors is damaging to their operations, and 37% have made changes to their businesses in response. Seventy-three percent of these adjustments were long-term or permanent. Businesses that have been open for less than 10 years are particularly worried, with 67% expressing concerns about survival.