The number of passengers entering the country at the Dalton Cache border crossing last month was higher than normal, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection statistics.
For weeks, Haines residents and business owners have been concerned about a drop-off in Canadian tourism resulting from tariffs and annexation talk from the Trump Administration.
Anecdotal evidence supports the concern, with businesses and borough officials receiving messages from Canadians unwilling to spend money in the United States. And upcoming events like Beer Fest and the Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay, which usually see high numbers of Canadian participants, have had slower sign ups this year.
But the new border crossing data complicates the picture.
Last month, 598 cars carrying 1,200 passengers crossed into the country at Dalton Cache. That was higher than in March of any of the last three years. The next highest number was from March of last year, with 1,100 total passengers. The increase continues a general rebound from COVID, when border crossings hit lows.
Borough tourism specialist Kiara Hylton said she was surprised by the numbers, which she said did not match what she has seen on the ground in recent weeks.
Staff at the visitors center keep a rough count of tourists who come into their office, and that that number was notably low last month, Hylton said.
The difference between the data and the eye test is even more notable, given that nationwide, the border with Canada did see a steep decline, from 1.7 million crossings last year in March to 1.3 million crossings this year.
• This story was originally published by the Chilkat Valley News.
