An interesting article in the Globe and Mail today that indicates since 2001, the number of day trips that Americans have taken to Canada has decreased by almost 70 per cent. That’s a huge change and one that is affecting all tourist based businesses in Canada particularly border attractions.

According to the article:

And it could get worse. As of June 1, travellers are required to show a passport or secure document to cross the border – including American citizens, less than a third of whom have a passport.

“It’s a huge disincentive,” said Robin Ritchie, a marketing professor at Carleton University’s Sprott School of Business. “I don’t think we’ve even begun to see the effects of that. We can anticipate further downward pressure on U.S. travel to Canada.”

The impact is already evident at the Peace Bridge, a popular border crossing 25 kilometres south of Niagara Falls. Since June 1, car traffic has dropped 13 per cent compared with this time last year, and almost 40-per-cent fewer buses have been rolling into Canada.

“There is both the reality and the perception that the border has become more difficult to cross,” Prof. Ritchie said.

Many travel businesses have been feeling the pinch and lamenting the upcoming passport requirement at the border.

For more check out the rest of the article at GlobeandMail.com