New requirement for some Canadian visitors worries Arizona tourism industry

PHOENIX – A new federal policy requiring some Canadian visitors to register as foreign nationals could hurt the Arizona tourism industry, according to a local business leader.

The registration requirement will apply to Canadians who stay in the U.S. for more than 30 days starting April 11.

“I don’t have the exact dollar amount, but we have a ton of … winter visitors right now coming into the Valley, spending time in our state, visiting shops, doing restaurants, keeping up their residences here,” Mike Huckins of the Greater Phoenix Chamber told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News on Tuesday.

“So, yeah, it’s going to have a big impact, to some extent anyway, with Canadian visitors pulling back on their travel plans.”

In 2023, tourism generated over $4 billion in tax revenue for Arizona, with Canada second only to Mexico on the list of top markets for international visitors.

Canadian visitors are already changing plans

Huckins said he’s already seeing the impact of the new regulation before it goes into effect, and not just for travelers who will be required to register starting next month.

“This new enforcement action is just affecting those that are going to stay for more than 30 days. But … you’re already seeing some of those short-term visitors pull back on their travel plans, as well, which is concerning,” he said.

The recent tariffs and trade war aren’t helping the local economy, either, Huckins said. And with the added uncertainty of tourism, Arizona businesses could lose a lot of money.

“I think the thing that would worry local businesses is it’s a very short flight to just fly over us and into Mexico,” Huskins said.

When asked if there were any benefits to a policy that reduces the number of Valley visitors, such as less traffic, Huckins was quick to dismiss the thought.

“I think any small, minute benefit is going to be outweighed by the negative affect that it could have on Canadian visitors not coming into the Valley,” he said.

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