News Summary
Canadian tourism to Louisiana has seen a significant drop, attributed to comments made by President Trump, according to Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser. Urging for an apology, Nungesser believes it could help attract Canadian visitors back to the state. With recent data showing a 20-30% decrease in Canadian visitors, tour companies are canceling trips, including for the upcoming Grand Reveil Acadien festival, which typically attracts many Canadian tourists. The political climate has created profound impacts on the tourism sector, highlighting the economic significance of Canadian visitors.
Lafayette, Louisiana – The drop in Canadian tourism to Louisiana has been attributed to rhetoric from the White House, according to Louisiana Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser. He claims that comments made by President Donald Trump have led to a significant boycott of U.S. travel by Canadians, strongly affecting the state’s tourism sector.
Nungesser is now urging Trump to issue an apology, believing that such a gesture could help repair relations and encourage Canadian visitors to return to Louisiana. Since taking office for his second term in January 2025, Trump has made several remarks about Canada, including joking about the country potentially becoming the “51st state” and making comments about a possible “merger” with Canada during a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Recent data indicates that tourism from Canada to Louisiana has decreased between 20% to 30%. As a direct result of the current political climate and Trump’s comments, a notable tour company has canceled plans to bring four charter buses filled with visitors to the Grand Reveil Acadien festival, which takes place this weekend near Lafayette.
The Grand Reveil Acadien festival, which celebrates Acadian culture and occurs every five years, typically draws large numbers of Canadian tourists. However, due to dissatisfaction with Trump’s remarks, the festival is expected to see a notable decrease in Canadian attendance this year. Many Canadians have expressed their intent to refrain from traveling to Louisiana until Trump either apologizes or is no longer in office.
According to data from Canada, there was a 25% drop in overall U.S. visits in July compared to the same period the previous year. Locals and festival organizers have expressed disappointment regarding the potential absence of Canadian attendees, with one organizer noting that the atmosphere of the festival would be noticeably different without this important demographic.
In addition to declining visitor numbers, tour operators from Canada have indicated that they are not promoting travel to the U.S. due to the current political climate and Trump’s comments. Nungesser has also highlighted that airlines have ceased advertising travel to America, further compounding the tourism industry’s challenges in Louisiana.
Warren Perrin, a local activist, emphasized the emotional and economic impact of Trump’s rhetoric on tour bookings for festivals like Grand Reveil Acadien. Nungesser noted the difficulty in obtaining an apology from Trump, acknowledging that it is uncommon for politicians to admit mistakes.
The presence of Canadian visitors is economically significant to Louisiana. These tourists are known for spending more money and staying longer during their visits compared to domestic visitors. With the Grand Reveil Acadien festival on the horizon, the state’s tourism industry is bracing for a less robust turnout, which could have long-standing repercussions on local economies.
As the weekend approaches, the impacts of rising tensions between the U.S. and Canada become more pronounced. The region discussed and hopes for a positive resolution that could enable Canadian visitors to once again feel welcome in Louisiana’s rich cultural tapestry.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- The Advocate
- Wikipedia: Canada–United States relations
- Time
- Google Search: Trump Canada travel ban
- New York Times
- Google Scholar: Trump tourism impact
- Washington Post
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tourism
- CNN
- Google News: Louisiana Canadian tourism
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
