Fostering Cross-Border Trail Tourism Between Windsor, Ontario, Canada and Detroit, Michigan, USA

The 2026 opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge between Windsor, Ontario, Canada and Detroit, Michigan, USA, with its multi-use trail for cyclists and pedestrians, is projected to catalyze cross-border trail tourism and help further revitalize these two border cities. Both Windsor and Detroit have unique, extensive trail systems with compelling destinations. However, cross-border trail tourism institutionalization needs improvement. Tourism, greenway, and destination partners should explore creating a boundary organization to foster and market cross-border trail tourism. Recommendations from a 2024 cross-border trail tourism conference include: develop strategies for community engagement and storytelling to enhance cultural connections between regions; strengthen ties between trail groups and environmental organizations to provide trail experiences that reconnect people with the river and other natural resources; support the region’s efforts to obtain a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation for the Underground Railroad and support the Canadian federal designation of Windsor’s Ojibway National Urban Park; strengthen collaborations between tourism and cycling partners to promote and market cross-border trail tourism; institutionalize greenway assessments (every 5–10 years) to evaluate trail segment completions, gaps, potential route improvements, safety improvements, equity considerations, etc., and to keep greenways in the public consciousness; and measure and broadly communicate the economic impact of cross-border trail tourism resulting from the bridge.