The U.S. travel industry is bracing for significant losses as Canadians reconsider trips south of the border in response to President Donald Trump’s threats of tariffs on Canadian goods. The U.S. Travel Association (USTA) warned Monday that a drop of just10 per cent in Canadian visits could lead to two million fewer travellers, costing the American economy $2.1 billion and putting 140,000 hospitality-related jobs at risk.
In a televised address on Saturday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called on Canadians to vacation domestically and consider visiting the national parks and historic sites as alternatives to U.S. destinations. British Columbia Premier David Eby echoed the sentiment, saying Canadians should “really be thinking carefully about spending our money in that country” as the U.S. “wants to do economic harm to Canadians.” Flight Centre, Canada’s largest travel agency, reported a surge in cancellations, with some customers rebooking trips worth over $10,000 and heading to other destinations.
Canadian tourists represent the largest share of international visitors to the U.S., with states like Florida, California, Nevada, New York and Texas among the most affected. In 2023, Canadians accounted for 38 per cent of all foreign tourists to Florida, while in Texas, Canadian travellers spent over $400 million. Nationally, Canadian visitors spent $20.5 billion in the U.S. last year, according to the National Travel and Tourism Office.
“Now is the time to choose Canada,” Trudeau told citizens, encouraging them to support local tourism instead. The travel boycott comes amid broader tensions between the two countries, with Canada having previously updated its U.S. travel advisory in 2023 to reflect concerns over anti-LGBTQ legislation in several states.