Yankee Doodle Dandy Ain't So Handy: Tourism Troubles in the States, By Order of the Peaky Blinders

Coastal Calm? More Like Coastal Chaos

Listen close because I only say this once. This little town Anacortes up in Washington state thinks it can ride the summer wave of tourists. But like a poorly planned heist things are going sideways. Woman named Kaia Matheny owns a restaurant there thinks fewer foreigners mean less money. She ain't wrong. The Yanks are finally figuring out that actions have consequences and their bluster is scaring off the paying customers. 'We'll batten down the hatches,' she says. Sounds like someone's been watching too many pirate films.

The Numbers Don't Lie (Neither Do I)

These 'experts' are running around like headless chickens flapping about figures and percentages. International visits down 12%. Down I tell you! Even the Canadians usually eager to cross the border for a bit of… well you know… are staying put. Seems someone's been rattling their cages. But don't be fooled by all these numbers and reports look closer because they never tell you the real story.

A Sour Outlook? More Like a Right Mess

This 'U.S. Travel Association' is bleating about losing billions. Billions! Sounds like the kind of money I could put to good use. Blame it on trade wars blame it on immigration blame it on a ginger gypsy... The truth is nobody wants to visit a place where they feel unwelcome. I always make my guests feel welcome; unless they cross me. Then well that's a different story. The Yanks should take note.

Fear and Loathing in… America?

Now they're saying it's all about 'fear'. People are scared of being detained searched deported. Sounds like a right circus. Trump's antics with tariffs and silly suggestions of the USA gobbling up Canada ain't helping. Trudeau's even telling his lot to stay put. A man’s pride is a terrible thing. Best not to step on it unnecessarily. They need to decide what kind of country they want to be because right now they look lost at sea.

Profits? More Like Losses By Order

Small businesses are taking a hit. Profits falling faster than a man with a bullet in his leg. No customers mean no money. Simple as that. They're talking about cutting staff. Mark my words: When the money stops flowing the bodies start piling up. It's the way of the world even on the other side of the pond. "There's no obvious reason why domestic travel would collapse so sharply and so suddenly in a single month whereas for international travel there are more obvious explanations" is what they are saying.

Community Impact? More Like Community Carnage

The Yanks haven't recovered to pre pandemic levels. Numbers still down. These foreigners spend good money more than their own lot. And now with them staying away places like Vegas and Miami are going to feel the pinch. 'It's a community impact,' this Matheny woman says. She's right. It's an impact that'll be felt by everyone from the farmers to the fishermen. All because someone decided to play games with the world. If I were running things I'd put a stop to it sharpish.