Border Crossings Drop as Tourism Suffers | Duluth News

Northern Minnesota’s tourism economy is in deep trouble, with historic drops in Canadian visitors crippling businesses that rely on cross-border shoppers—especially in Grand Marais, where tourism fuels nearly 80% of the local economy. Wildfires alone slashed summer sales by $9.4 million, adding to a long-term slump triggered by federal tariffs that cut border crossings 26% by year’s end—and now they’re down nearly 30% from pandemic highs. Local spots like the Grand Portage Lodge and The Sweetwater Co. are feeling the sting, as familiar faces from Thunder Bay grow scarce. But community leaders are pushing back with heartfelt campaigns to remind Canadians they’re still the same welcoming neighbors. Still, looming Trump-era sanctions threaten to make things worse, leaving businesses bracing for even tougher times as their closest neighbors become their most vulnerable customers. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/b62c2acb3e0a28f7