Table of Contents
- Background: Canadian Travel Trends
- Impact of Trump Administration Policies
- Decline in US-Bound Travel
- Economic Effects on US and Canadian Tourism
- Changing Patterns in Canadian Travel Behavior
- Efforts to Attract Canadian Tourists
- Conclusion
Background: Canadian Travel Trends
Historically, Canadian boycott US travel have been among the most frequent international visitors to the United States. Popular destinations included ski resorts in Lake Placid, New York, baseball games in Baltimore, and winter retreats in Florida. Canadians accounted for roughly a quarter of all international visitors to the US, spending over $20 billion annually.
Kristy Gammon, a 62-year-old resident of Nova Scotia, describes how she and her friends have stopped visiting the US altogether. “There are so many things that we just feel aghast about how [the administration] is acting internationally, behaving toward US-Canada trade tensionstheir own citizens, and treating allies like Canada,” she explained. Her experience reflects a growing sentiment among Canadians: a deliberate reduction in US travel as a form of protest.
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The trend is not limited to casual tourists. Families who have historically travelled to the US for business, leisure, or to visit relatives are also reconsidering their plans. Many Canadians are choosing domestic alternatives, discovering new destinations within their own country, or simply staying home, altering the long-standing flow of cross-border tourism.
Impact of Trump Administration Policies
The Canadian boycott of US travel is largely a reaction to policies introduced under President Donald Trump. In 2025, his administration imposed new tariffs on Canadian goods, citing the need to reduce the US trade deficit. These tariffs affected multiple industries, from automotive to steel, sparking tensions in trade negotiations between the two nations.
Trump also publicly criticized Canada in multiple forums, including statements suggesting Canada should be treated as the “51st state.” Such rhetoric compounded public dissatisfaction, particularly among older Canadians who travel frequently to the US for leisure. For many, boycotting US travel has become a symbolic protest against policies they view as unfair or aggressive.
Additionally, Americans’ stringent enforcement of customs and border security, combined with Trump’s focus on curbing illegal fentanyl imports from Canada, contributed to the perception that Canadian travelers were unwelcome. While aimed at national security, these measures added another layer of deterrence for Canadian tourists.
Decline in US-Bound Travel
Statistics from Canada’s national data office confirm a marked decline in travel to the US. Air travel fell nearly 24% in October 2025 compared to the previous year, while car travel dropped over 30%. This marked the 10th consecutive month of decline, signaling a sustained shift in Canadian travel behavior.
Demographically, older Canadians—especially “snowbirds” who traditionally migrate south for winter—have been most affected. A survey by the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada found that only 10% of retirees planned US trips in 2025, down 66% from the previous year. Some even sold their winter homes in Florida as a result.
For younger Canadians and families, discretionary travel was reduced due to both political and financial considerations. Trips that once included border crossings to US theme parks, sporting events, and city tours were replaced with domestic road trips or visits to nearby provinces. This change represents a significant shift in North American travel trends.
Economic Effects on US and Canadian Tourism
The reduction in Canadian visitors has had an immediate economic impact on the United States. Overall international spending dropped 3.2%, with Canadian tourists contributing heavily to the loss. In states like Florida, New York, and Maryland—where Canadian travelers have historically been a key segment of tourism—the impact was particularly notable.
Conversely, Canada’s domestic tourism sector has benefited. From May to August 2025, Canada’s tourism revenue reached a record C$59 billion, a 6% increase over the same period the previous year. Canadians traveling closer to home helped sustain businesses in previously under-visited regions, from rural lodges to urban cultural centers.
Tourism operators report that domestic bookings have surged, and attractions that once relied on international visitors now focus on Canadian clientele. While the US tourism industry grapples with losses, Canadian tourism benefits from an influx of local travelers discovering new destinations.
Changing Patterns in Canadian Travel Behavior
The Canadian boycott has also influenced how people plan trips. Many Canadians now prefer short road trips over long international flights, while younger generations are increasingly seeking budget-friendly experiences within Canada. Popular choices include national parks, cultural festivals, and adventure tourism in regions like British Columbia and Alberta.
Kristy Gammon noted that even her family’s ski trips to Lake Placid were canceled, replaced instead by local alternatives. “It’s not just politics—it’s about making practical choices that suit our lifestyle while still exploring new places,” she said. This trend underscores a broader behavioral shift in Canadian tourism, prioritizing domestic options due to both political sentiment and convenience.
Experts also note that the boycott could have long-term implications for US-Canada travel. Persistent avoidance may weaken personal connections across borders, reduce cultural exchange, and alter traditional tourism patterns permanently, unless addressed through policy changes or goodwill initiatives.
Efforts to Attract Canadian Tourists
US destinations are actively trying to reverse the trend. In Montana, Kalispell’s Glacier National Park launched a “Canadian Welcome Pass,” offering discounts and deals for visitors from Canada. Promotional campaigns emphasize warmth and hospitality, acknowledging the historic importance of Canadian tourists.
Looking forward, large-scale events like the FIFA 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles could encourage international travel, including Canadians. Tourism officials hope these events will offset some of the losses caused by the boycott.
Nevertheless, analysts caution that political and trade relations will continue to influence Canadian travel decisions. Until Canadians feel that US policies and rhetoric have stabilized, the boycott is likely to persist.
Conclusion
The Canadian boycott of US travel in 2025 is a clear reflection of how political policies and international relations can influence tourism trends. Canadians are making deliberate choices to avoid the US, reshaping the flow of cross-border travel and boosting domestic tourism in Canada. Meanwhile, US tourism suffers from reduced revenue and declining international visits.
Future changes will depend on diplomatic relations, trade negotiations, and major events that attract tourists. Until then, Canadians appear committed to exploring their own country, signaling a lasting shift in travel behavior driven by policy, economics, and public sentiment.
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By The News Update— Updated 14 November 2025
