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| Trump's policies set off a wave of national pride in Canada. Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images |
Canadian travel to the United States has continued to decline sharply, as preliminary government data shows a seventh consecutive month of year-over-year drops in cross-border trips. The downturn underscores how political tensions, trade disputes, and shifting consumer sentiment are reshaping North American tourism patterns.
Sharp Declines in Road and Air Travel
According to preliminary figures from Statistics Canada, the number of Canadian residents returning from the US by car in July 2025 was nearly 37% lower than the same month in 2024. This is significant because road trips traditionally make up the majority of Canadian visits to the United States, particularly for weekend getaways, shopping trips, and family vacations.
Air travel between the two countries has also suffered. The data shows that Canadian residents returning from US destinations by air dropped almost 26% year-over-year. In contrast, Canadian travel from overseas countries saw an increase, suggesting that travelers are choosing Europe, Mexico, and the Caribbean over their southern neighbor.
Political Disputes Driving Boycotts
The downturn in travel is not a simple matter of changing vacation tastes — it is tied directly to political tensions. Many Canadians began boycotting US travel and American goods in recent years as a response to former President Donald Trump’s trade policies and his controversial comments suggesting that Canada could become the 51st US state.
The boycott movement gained renewed momentum on August 1, 2025, when Trump raised tariffs on Canadian goods to 35% for items that do not fall under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). He justified the move by accusing Canada of failing to secure its borders and curb drug trafficking.
Trade Dispute Context
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney responded by stressing that the majority of trade between the two countries remains tariff-free. “Eighty-five percent of Canada’s trade with the United States is tariff-free,” Carney said, emphasizing that most goods are still protected under USMCA.
However, US Census Bureau data paints a more complicated picture: in 2024, only about 38% of Canadian goods by value actually entered the US under USMCA provisions, highlighting potential vulnerabilities for Canadian exporters.
National Pride and Alternative Travel Choices
Interviews conducted earlier this year by Local press revealed that the travel boycott is partly fueled by a surge in Canadian national pride. Many travelers have opted to explore destinations beyond the United States, with European cities, Mexican resorts, and Caribbean islands benefiting from the shift.
Travel companies have reported noticeable declines in bookings to US destinations while seeing increased demand for alternative locations offering a mix of cultural experiences, warm weather, and competitive pricing.
Survey Reveals Chilly Sentiment Toward the US
Fresh survey data from Longwoods International, a travel and tourism market research consultancy, underscores just how much Canadian sentiment toward the US has cooled. In July 2025, the firm polled 1,000 Canadian adults and found:
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63% said US government policies made them less likely to visit the country.
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84% agreed that the US offers many attractions.
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Only 36% felt the US is welcoming to travelers from diverse backgrounds.
These numbers indicate that while Americans may continue to enjoy a rich tourism offering, perceptions of inclusivity and political climate are playing a decisive role in Canadian travel decisions.
The Road Ahead for Cross-Border Tourism
Experts say reversing the decline in Canadian travel to the US will require more than just marketing campaigns highlighting American attractions. Restoring trust may depend on resolving trade disputes, addressing political tensions, and improving perceptions of inclusivity for international visitors.
For now, the data points to a continued cooling of cross-border tourism, with Canadians showing a stronger appetite for destinations that feel politically and culturally welcoming — even if they’re thousands of miles further away than the US border.
