There was growing interest in the region's tourism offerings last year, but overnight stays and visits were down slightly.
Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island held its Annual General Meeting on Thursday at Caesars Windsor, where they highlighted positive outcomes in staycations, conference numbers, and promoting a two-nation destination with Detroit.
"With everything going on with the United States and the fact that people are worrying about their pocketbooks, the numbers are a little softer in 2025," said TWEPI CEO Gordon Orr. "That being said, our interest through social engagement, through engagement with our partners, has never been higher. We're very, very proud of that."
Annual figures collected by TWEPI show that visitation numbers were down nearly 10 per cent in 2025 compared to 2024. More specifically, visits from guests from the United States were down 6 per cent.
Hotel stays were also down 10- 12 per cent, and around 3 per cent fewer people were employed in the tourism industry.
The number one visitor sector in the region is still people visiting friends or family in the region.
"We're seeing more interest in our staycations, more people spending money closer to home, and hopefully getting more of our domestic visitation through Southwestern Ontario coming back down to visit," said Orr.
