WILDWOOD, N.J. — On one afternoon this week, as Paul Genier, 63, was dismantling the umbrellas and beach equipment for his Quebecois family of 11, he noted that several members were absent.
Typically, we are a group of around 30 people,” said Genier, a retiree from Montreal. Then, with a smile, he added: “I don’t need to explain why. We don’t want to cause any issues either. They’re losing many Canadians.
Many people in Canada, including the Genier family, were unsure about taking their usual summer trip to their favorite place, Wildwood, or any location in the United States, following a spring filled with tariff threats and President Donald Trump’s comments about Canada becoming “the 51st state.”
However, since their deposit was paid last year, and the children’s affection for the location, the Geniers ended up back on the expansive beaches of Wildwood this week, staying, as usual, at the Beachcomber Camping Resort.
Tourism officials indicate that it seems more Canadians arrived in Cape May County than previously anticipated.they had been afraid since MarchAs cancellations began to increase, Canadian businesses are still experiencing a decline of 20% to 30%. The Canadian travel sector has been affected since the pandemic, according to them, partly because of a weak exchange rate.
Trump has declared new import taxes of35% on Canadian goodsscheduled to begin on August 1. The World Travel & Tourism Council predicts that the U.S. economy will suffer a $12.5 billion loss this year because of the decline in international tourists.
A Cape May County campground reported that Canadian business dropped by as much as 50%, while Duane Watlington from Vacation Rentals Wildwood mentioned his decline was approximately 38% in June and 75% in July (the website shifted its marketing efforts to focus on local customers).
On the shore, Wildwood Beach Patrol Captain Ed Schneider has observed.
It’s quite light this year because of the Canadian dollar’s value compared to the U.S. dollar,” he said. “When I first began working here in the late ’80s, the whole beach was filled with Canadians. We had to learn a few important phrases.
Nevertheless, this week marks the beginning of the Construction Holiday, a required two-week break in Quebec province and also a traditional summer vacation period, during which Canadians might be seen on the Wildwood beaches, by motel pools, and in the campgrounds of Cape May County.
It’s a political issue, but it doesn’t affect the love we have for this place,” said Marina Marra, a server in Montreal who traveled to Wildwood Crest with a group of 17 family members and friends spanning three generations. “We suggested the kids go to Greece this summer, but they preferred coming here.
‘There were the looks’
Marra’s family mentioned they experienced a chilly reception this year, which was different from previous years, including prolonged glances and someone telling their mother, Dominique Malo, who has lived in Wildwood since childhood, “If you’re not satisfied, return to Canada.”
We felt it,” said Ludovick Behr, 20, who was with his boyfriend, Francois Duhaime, 28, as part of a large group. “The moment we parked our cars, we felt it. They heard us speaking French, and then there were the looks—disgusted looks.
Another difference, they mentioned, is that there are generally fewer people at Wildwood Crest beach, and notably fewer Canadians. “The beach usually has at least 40% more visitors,” said Carl Béliveau, Marra’s husband. “We’re still here, and we’re spending our money.”
Other families from Quebec who were interviewed mentioned they hadn’t experienced any hostility. “Not at all,” said Paul Genier. “Even when we crossed the border, it was, ‘Have a nice trip.'”
The decline of Canadian businesses was evident, he said, simply by observing the license plates in the area. He also mentioned that crossing the border from Canada into New York only took two minutes, which is usually between 45 minutes and an hour.
There are many people who are upset,” said Paul’s brother, Michael Genier, 60. “We don’t discuss it within the family because we have varying viewpoints. It’s foolish. We’re hoping it will only last four years, and preferably even less.
Gabrielle Minier, 27, and her friend Claudia Millaire, 27, from Montreal, were visiting Wildwood for the first time along with their boyfriends, who had previously come as children and wished to return.
They had taken the roller coaster, visited theHonky Tonk Saloon, had a week of pleasant weather.
“Everyone is quite friendly,” Minier remarked.
‘We definitely miss them’
Diane Wieland, the tourism director for Cape May County, mentioned that bookings from Canada began to recover in June, and then increased once more after July 4.
This marks the beginning of the Construction Holiday in Quebec, and we’ll find out how many people come back within the next four weeks,” Wieland stated. “The accommodation providers mention that reservations started to rise approximately two weeks ago with consistent inquiries. The past weekend saw a clear rise in Canadians arriving and booking accommodations, with some showing up without prior reservations.
At the Quebec Motel, a few Canadian guests were present, and the front desk staff mentioned that most of the available rooms, which had been vacated due to Canadian reservations being canceled, were now occupied by individuals from Philadelphia and New York.
At the Beachcomber campgrounds, owner Tammy Gomez mentioned that she has accommodated guests from Maryland, New York, and Connecticut instead of the Canadians who had canceled their bookings. She noted that Canadians typically account for up to 18% of her clientele, but this year, that number has dropped to roughly half.
“Sure, we definitely miss them,” she said.
A softer season
At the Fleur de Lis Beach Motel, desk clerk Damien Moody mentioned that the usual busy period for Canadians was still ahead: Ukrainian Week in Wildwood, which starts on August 22 this year.
He mentioned that business has remained consistent at the Fleur de Lis, but has declined significantly overall in Wildwood. “The economy,” he said. “You need to have money to handle the cost of everything around here.”
John Donio, president of the Wildwood Business District and a motel proprietor, also mentioned that the summer season has been less robust, partly because of a decline in Canadian customers, as well as broader economic challenges.
I believe it’s a gentler season for individuals compared to what they anticipated,” he stated. “There are some empty spaces that people aren’t accustomed to.
He mentioned that the conversation shifted to business owners having to stay competitive, invest in maintaining their properties to be updated, modern, and visually appealing.
There are other factors involved,” he stated. “The Wildwoods must remain competitive not only against Ocean City, N.J., Ocean City, Md., and Rehoboth, but also against cruise lines and Orlando. We also face competition from Netflix. Parents are watching Netflix while their children are on their phones, and they start thinking, why not just get takeout?
Regarding Canada, Donio mentioned that the loss is noticeable, particularly in the more intense competitive setting.
I have Canadian visitors who are pleased to be here, but let’s not ignore the reality. They aren’t coming to the East Coast as frequently as they should,” he stated. “I don’t believe the political climate has been helpful. You don’t want to restrict any business, especially when dealing with such kind and remarkable individuals who contribute to the tourism community.
Marina Marra, a server from Quebec, mentioned that her family plans to keep coming back to the Wildwoods, even with the varied responses they have encountered.
People were passing by and they were laughing at our license plate,” she said. “I don’t let it impact us. We still had a wonderful trip, and I would return. I hope things improve. We still love it. Especially the smell when you enter Wildwood. It brings back nostalgic memories.
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