Bar Harbor businesses say tariffs and cruise ban slowing start to tourism season | News [Video]

BAR HARBOR — Memorial Day weekend typically marks the unofficial start of summer in Vacationland. But this year, business owners in Bar Harbor say the season is off to a sluggish start.

Local shop and hotel owners say rising costs — tied to tariffs and trade tensions — are already eating into profits and possibly discouraging some tourists, especially from Canada.

“It definitely has a negative impact on our bottom line,” said Steven Coston, owner of Stay Bar Harbor Hotels. “It’s at a frustrating time because we’ve already, for the last several years, dealt with so much inflation. And now you’re just adding another thing on top of it.”

Coston said the ongoing trade conflict between the U.S. and Canada may be influencing travel decisions.

“I can also anecdotally say I noticed some cancellations from Canada when the news of the tariffs was announced,” Coston said. “So I know that there’s an …