Maine hotel owners speak out amid flurry of cancellations from Canadians

The northeastern U.S. state of Maine has been a popular summer vacation destination for Canadians, particularly Quebecers, for over a century.

So much so, Canadians make up over a third of the tourism economy in one particular resort town: Old Orchard Beach.

But now, with escalating U.S. trade tensions and President Trump’s antagonistic rhetoric towards Canadian sovereignty, cancellations have started adding up and hurting — even possibly devastating — some local businesses who have decided to speak out.

At the Point View Inn, a 50-year old family-run hotel, a greeting note on its website says “Welcome! Bienvenue!” in a nod to greet its annual French Canadian visitors. They flock to Old Orchard Beach by the thousands every…