Canadian travellers are turning their backs on the United States in record numbers, with a boycott now in its 12th month showing no signs of abating. The trend, sparked by US President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canadian goods and repeated suggestions that Canada become the 51st state, has led to a sharp drop in cross-border visits.
According to the US Travel Association, inbound Canadian travel to the US has fallen by 23% between January and October compared with the same period last year, representing an estimated $4bn (£3bn) loss. Roughly four million fewer Canadians have visited the US so far this year, a dramatic reversal after Canadians accounted for 28% of foreign tourists in 2024.
However, Canadians are travelling more overall. Statistics Canada reports a surge in domestic travel alongside increased visits to Mexico, Portugal, the Bahamas and Belize. Canadian visitor numbers to Mexican cities are up nearly 12% year to date, while spending in destinations such as Buenos Aires, Osaka, Copenhagen and Curacao more than doubled this summer compared with 2024.
Travel writer Emilie Brillon said she had shifted her focus solely to Canada, cancelling a planned family trip to the Grand Canyon in April 2025. Toronto-based publicist Tracy Lamourie said she would never cross the border again, citing the "51st state rhetoric" and human rights concerns. Both reflect a wider sentiment that the USTA estimates will cost the US $5.7bn (£4.28bn) this year.
US regions reliant on Canadian tourism are feeling the pinch. Vermont saw 30% fewer Canadian visitors between January and July, while Las Vegas recorded an 18% year-to-date decline. Airlines are responding by adding routes that bypass the US, with Air Canada launching new services to Europe and 13 new routes to the Caribbean, Central America and South America from December.
