British Columbians urged not to travel to the United States

A provincial appeal framed travel to the United States as avoidable: "I'm asking British Columbians, if you have a choice, please don't travel to the United States." The request sits in the context of a standing "trade war" and sustained cross-border weakness, although Statistics Canada recorded a small June uptick: "2.3 million Canadians returned from the U.S. in June," including "more than 500,000 travellers returning to BC," both figures representing "about a 5% increase year over year" but still described as well below historical norms.

Local travel professionals and travellers interpret the numbers as fragile. A Vancouver travel agent expects the June rise to be short-lived amid the most recent round of tariffs and warned this looks like "it's going to be a long-term problem" for confidence in U.S. travel. One speaker adds a personal stance: 'I haven't crossed the border in two years,' illustrating individual choices that compound the broader trend.

Impact is felt south of the border as well: Washington's Watcom County officials report visitor spending is down, and border towns are singled out as suffering. The report names "Blaine," "Bellingham," and "Lyndon Sumas" as particularly affected, with the comment: "The border towns are really hurting. Blaine is really hurting. Bellingham is impacted. Lyndon Sumas is really impacted." The net claim—repeated by local sources and summarized by John Hernandez, CBC News, Vancouver—is that renewed trade tensions are likely to make Canadians think twice about the familiar trip south.

Key concrete items and figures: 2.3 million Canadians returned from the U.S. in June; more than 500,000 returned to BC; ~5% year-over-year increase; personal report of 'two years' without crossing; named impacted towns (Blaine, Bellingham, Lyndon Sumas); source attribution to Statistics Canada and John Hernandez, CBC News, Vancouver.