Recent data on BC-plated vehicle crossings into Whatcom County suggests a decline in Canadian visitors, which means fewer dollars flowing into local businesses (including Costco:))
The graph below shows the 7-day average of daily crossings, reinforcing concerns that fewer Canadians are making the trip south to shop and visit. Last week was a 33% drop over prior years.
The data is noisy for the first part of 2025. We need another 1-2 months to really prove a stark change from previous years.
Key Factors Behind the Decline
Tariffs and Trade Policies – The latest U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods may be discouraging travel, with some Canadians opting to avoid spending in the U.S.
Exchange Rate Challenges – The Canadian dollar is currently at its weakest point in two decades, with one CAD worth only 69 cents USD (see graph below). This weak exchange rate reduces Canadians' buying power, making cross-border shopping less appealing.
Due to the unfavorable exchange rate and our worsening relations with our northern neighbors, there might be a significant drop in visitors for the rest of 2025. We will monitor this situation and its impact on the local economy.
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