From cruising across Lake Champlain, to taking in Vermont’s scenery, summer tourism is picking up across the state.On the Spirit of Ethan Allen, owner Mike Shea said this season started with an encouraging sign.”Last year we didn’t see Canadians. I mean, it was somewhere close to zero. This year our first customer was a Canadian, so it was very enjoyable and I sold them, but I gave them free tickets to go on our first group, and he was so happy,” said Shea.New data from the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development shows Canadian credit card spending in Vermont has increased year over year by 40 percent from May of last year to May of this year.”I’ve been feeling it. I’ve been seeing it because I work in the ticket booth and I welcome everybody here,” said Shea.State officials hope those numbers continue to trend upward, translating to more visitors spending time here.”We’ve been seeing more people coming in from Montreal, other parts of Canada, and we’re here in town and there’s been like a small influx. And it’s been really nice because there’s so much to enjoy here,” said Lila Cone.And as the Champlain Valley Dinner Train kicks off another season, they’re also looking forward to seeing passengers return to the rails.”I think it’s a great thing because pre-Covid we had a lot of Canadian visitors from all over Montreal and Quebec City. I’m very hopeful that we will see more Canadian traffic for this season,” said Steve Shover, manager of passenger services.Businesses said whether people are cruising on the lake, riding by train, or exploring downtowns across the state, a strong summer tourism season helps support local jobs and small businesses for months to come.

BURLINGTON, Vt. —

From cruising across Lake Champlain, to taking in Vermont’s scenery, summer tourism is picking up across the state.

On the Spirit of Ethan Allen, owner Mike Shea said this season started with an encouraging sign.

“Last year we didn’t see Canadians. I mean, it was somewhere close to zero. This year our first customer was a Canadian, so it was very enjoyable and I sold them, but I gave them free tickets to go on our first group, and he was so happy,” said Shea.

New data from the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development shows Canadian credit card spending in Vermont has increased year over year by 40 percent from May of last year to May of this year.

“I’ve been feeling it. I’ve been seeing it because I work in the ticket booth and I welcome everybody here,” said Shea.

State officials hope those numbers continue to trend upward, translating to more visitors spending time here.

“We’ve been seeing more people coming in from Montreal, other parts of Canada, and we’re here in town and there’s been like a small influx. And it’s been really nice because there’s so much to enjoy here,” said Lila Cone.

And as the Champlain Valley Dinner Train kicks off another season, they’re also looking forward to seeing passengers return to the rails.

“I think it’s a great thing because pre-Covid we had a lot of Canadian visitors from all over Montreal and Quebec City. I’m very hopeful that we will see more Canadian traffic for this season,” said Steve Shover, manager of passenger services.

Businesses said whether people are cruising on the lake, riding by train, or exploring downtowns across the state, a strong summer tourism season helps support local jobs and small businesses for months to come.