Topline
A Canadian boycott of U.S. travel continued through August—anchoring an enormous economic loss for American tourism this year as visitors from around the world choose not to travel to the states amid President Trump’s aggressive tariffs and rhetoric.
A 34% drop in Canadian visitors by car in August underscores a successful travel boycott of U.S. destinations.
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Key Facts
The number of Canadians taking road trips into the U.S.—how most Canadians visit—dropped by 34% last month compared to August 2024, according to data released Wednesday from Statistics Canada, following a 37% drop in July.
There was also a 25% decline in air travelers from Canada year-over-year, on par with the 26% year-over-year drop in July.
The top five states for Canadian visitation last year were Florida, California, Nevada, New York and Texas, according to the U.S. Travel Association.
August was the eighth consecutive month of steep declines in inbound Canadian travel, with double-digit year-over-year drops in both car and air travel to the U.S. every month since April.
Travel in the other direction is also down, though far less severely, with 5% fewer Americans driving to Canada and 4% fewer flying in August compared to a year ago.
The drop in Canadian visitors is part of a larger overall decline in visitation from around the world, driving a projected economic loss of up to $29 billion compared to what tourism officials had expected at the beginning of the year.
How Are Tourism Officials Trying To Lure Back Canadian Visitors?
Tourism campaigns from coast to coast have targeted Canadians with special, often heartfelt, appeals. Visit California sweetened its “California Loves Canada” campaign with discounts of up to 25% off hotels, activities, and attractions. The governors of six northeastern states sent a formal letter to Canadian provincial premiers, expressing concern over the drop in Canadian travel, and Maine installed special “Bienvenue Canadiens!” welcome signs near the border. The Illinois Office of Tourism released a video message from Governor JB Pritzker extolling the deep ties between Illinois and Canada. Palm Springs installed 40 large heart-shaped Canadian flag banners along Palm Canyon Drive. The drop in Canadian visitors has dented tourism in destinations like Las Vegas, where 1.4 million Canadians visited last year, making up the largest source of international visitors. The city recently sent a delegation to Vancouver to woo back travelers. “A portion of our friends in Canada are not happy with us right now,” Steve Hill, CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, told reporters last Friday. “We want them to come back, but we understand they may not be ready to do that.”
Key Background
In recent years, Canadian tourists have been the biggest single source of international visitors to the U.S., making up roughly one-quarter of all foreign travelers who come to the country, according to the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office, part of the Commerce Department. In 2024, Canadian tourists vacationing in the U.S. spent $20.5 billion.
Why Are Fewer International Visitors Coming To The U.S.?
Trump’s tariffs and anti-welcoming rhetoric has turned off travelers, tourism officials say, and his repeated threats to make Canada the “51st state” has angered would-be visitors. “Geopolitical and policy-related concerns … paired with harsh rhetoric” have resulted in “negative global travel sentiment toward the US,” Tourism Economics, a travel-focused arm of Oxford Economics, wrote in its August update, noting “the sentiment drag has proven to be severe.”
Where Are Canadians Traveling Instead Of To The U.s.?
Instead of the U.S., Canadian travelers are choosing Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe and South America this year, according to reports from hotels and booking companies. The Canadian government has successfully encouraged citizens to vacation at home. This year, Canadian domestic visitor spending is projected to reach nearly $104 billion, an 8% lift from last year, while Canada’s tourism sector is expected to contribute a record $183 billion to the economy in 2025, according to recent data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
Further Reading
U.S. Tourism Will Lose Up To $29 Billion As Visitors Plummet Amid Trump Policies (Forbes)
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Suzanne Rowan Kelleher