Canadians boycott U.S. travel amid plunging tourism numbers

In June 2025, Canada saw a drastic decline in the number of its citizens traveling to the United States. According to Statistics Canada, road trips into the U.S. from Canada dropped by 33% compared to the same month the previous year. This follows a significant 38% decrease recorded in May, indicating a long-term trend of declining Canadian tourism to the U.S. This decrease in travel is part of a broader pattern, as June marked the sixth consecutive month of sharply reduced inbound travel from Canada to the U.S., which may signal a shift in Canadian consumers' travel preferences. The decline in travel has also extended to air travel, with a reported year-over-year decrease of 22% in the number of Canadians flying to the U.S. The impact of this travel boycott has potential ramifications for both economies, particularly for the U.S. tourism sector, which has significantly relied on Canadian tourists. The U.S. Travel Association previously warned that even a modest 10% drop in Canadian tourism could lead to billions of dollars in economic losses and jeopardize hundreds of thousands of jobs, particularly in hospitality and related sectors. This travel decline coincides with a notable call to action from former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who advised Canadians against spending money in the U.S. amid inflammatory political rhetoric, particularly from then-President Donald Trump. The ongoing geopolitical tensions and reports of Canadian visitors facing detentions at U.S. borders have further fueled the decision among Canadians to seek alternative travel destinations, resulting in a shift away from the U.S. As a consequence of these trends, the outlook for U.S. tourism from Canada is grim. Forecasts indicate that U.S. travel from all international markets may face a 9% decline in 2025. The anticipated economic loss from decreased international visitor spending could reach $8.5 billion. Overall, the cumulative projected loss for the U.S. tourism economy stands at approximately $29 billion, reflecting how significant Canadian travel has traditionally been to the U.S. market and emphasizing the scale of the decline occurring in the current climate.