Canadian tourists' decline impacts Florida's Gulf Coast

NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. —

The migration of Canadian tourists to Florida's Gulf Coast has slowed considerably over the past year, impacting the local rental market and prompting some seasonal residents to sell their homes.

Fewer Canadian flags are seen along the Gulf Coast as many Canadians have decided to put their homes up for sale.

Cheryl Urquhert, a seasonal resident since 2010, expressed her frustration, saying, "With this situation of the leadership with the USA and the way they treat Canadians, we're not valued at all."

This sentiment has led her to put her North Fort Myers home on the market.

"I'm not ready to go, but I feel like we're being forced to go," Urquhert said.

New data from the Florida Convention and Visitors Bureau indicates a 15% decrease in Canadian visitors to the U.S. Phil James, a Canadian who visits yearly, noted that many are visiting discreetly due to trade tensions.

"If you go down and your neighbors know you were in Florida, you might want to try and keep it secret because of the trade tensions," he said.

The decline in Canadian tourists is affecting the Florida rental market.

Dorit Dormayer, a top Florida property management specialist, observed, "We have Canadian guests who stopped renting after last winter." Despite this, the Florida Visitors and Convention Bureau reports a slight increase in overall tourism compared to last year.

Dormayer also noted a decrease in European bookings for the summer, saying, "I have talked to a lot of colleagues in Cape Coral who are seeing the same."

The market now relies more on U.S. travelers to visit the Sunshine State.

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