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Canadians who’re often drawn to New Orleans’ French tradition are staying away this 12 months. Louisiana’s lieutenant governor says that is as a result of they’re upset with President Trump.
JUANA SUMMERS, HOST:
There aren’t sufficient Canadians visiting Louisiana this 12 months, based on the state’s lieutenant governor. So he went to Canada not too long ago to advertise his state, which has a robust French-speaking connection to its neighbors up north. Seems lots of Canadians are upset with President Trump. Alex Cox with member station WRKF in Baton Rouge experiences.
ALEX COX, BYLINE: This weekend is the beginning of the Grand Reveil Acadien close to Lafayette, Louisiana. The competition occurs each 5 years and celebrates the Acadians – descendants of early French settlers who got here to Louisiana from Canada within the 1700s. It attracts lots of vacationers from Canada, however not a lot this 12 months. Not less than one tour firm canceled.
RANDAL MENARD: These 4 buses went away.
COX: That is Randal Menard, the president of the nonprofit that places on the competition. The tour operator advised him Canadians simply did not wish to come this 12 months.
MENARD: After the tariffs and the president’s feedback, he tell us that individuals have been dropping like flies.
COX: He is referring to the feedback President Trump has made about Canada changing into the 51st state and his ongoing worldwide commerce warfare. Simply this week, in a gathering with the Canadian prime minister, Trump cracked a joke a few, quote, “merger” of the 2 nations. Louisiana Republican Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is asking the president to apologize to Canadians for these remarks. It is because on a latest journey to Canada, he heard how upset individuals there have been.
BILLY NUNGESSER: They only just about mentioned they are not coming again till he is both out of workplace or he apologized.
COX: Nungesser hasn’t heard again from the president, and he says that an apology may not totally sort things anyway, however he does not know what else to do. He says tourism from Canada is down 20- to 30%, and information from Canada reveals a 25% drop in U.S. visits in July in comparison with final 12 months. He says the U.S. has grow to be an unpopular vacation spot for Canadians.
NUNGESSER: Airways, they nonetheless have their flights, however they are not promoting journey to America.
COX: The Grand Reveil Acadien competition this weekend can be flooded with Louisiana French music and the smells of fine outdated Louisiana cooking. And locals will rejoice with out a lot of their Canadian cousins, says Menard.
MENARD: I imply, we’ll miss their presence. This system will go on, nevertheless it’s not going to be the identical with out their participation.
COX: He hopes their absence will solely be short-term.
For NPR Information, I am Alex Cox in Baton Rouge.
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