Canadian Travelers Boycott US: A Growing Trend Amid Tensions

Fri Nov 14 2025 18:32:42 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A significant decline in Canadian travelers to the US continues as political tensions rise, with many choosing to stay home in protest of US policies.

The ongoing boycott of US travel by Canadians is evident, with data indicating a marked decline in visits due to political tensions and trade disputes. Kristy Gammon, a resident of Nova Scotia, reflects on how her visits to the US have ceased, echoing a broader trend among Canadians who are opting for domestic travel instead. This shift has also led to a record-breaking performance for Canada's tourism sector, highlighting the impact of diplomatic relations on travel habits.

Kristy Gammon used to travel to the US from Canada at least once every other year, taking ski trips at Lake Placid and attending Baltimore Orioles baseball games. However, her travel plans have changed significantly in light of recent political tensions, particularly since the election of President Donald Trump.

This Nova Scotia resident reports that she has avoided travelling through the US, demonstrating a growing trend among Canadians who protest against Trump's policies and tariffs, which they find to be harmful to their interests. There are so many things that we just feel aghast about in terms of how [the administration] is acting internationally, behaving toward their own citizens, and how they're treating their allies and neighbours, i.e. Canada, Ms Gammon said.

Statistics reveal a remarkable turn in travel patterns, with October marking the tenth consecutive month of decline for Canadian visitors to the US. Air travel from Canada to the US saw a decline of nearly 24%, while car travel dropped over 30% compared to the previous year, as reported by Canada's statistics office. The US, which has often relied on Canadian tourists for its international revenue, has seen a 3.2% decrease in overall international spending, predominantly due to fewer Canadians crossing the border.

The recent surge in anti-Canadian tariffs and derogatory comments from Trump have further strained relations, prompting many Canadians to opt for domestic vacations instead. This shift benefited Canada's tourism industry, which reported a record-breaking C$59bn in earnings from May to August of 2025, primarily fueled by domestic travel.

Even Canadian snowbirds, typically migrating south for the winter, are scaling back their journeys to the US, with a survey indicating that only 10% plan to visit the US this year—a staggering drop of 66% from the previous year.

While some US destinations, like Kalispell, Montana, are trying to woo back Canadian tourists by offering incentives like "Canadian Welcome Passes," the overall sentiment among Canadians remains frosty. Ms Gammon, reflecting on her travel plans, stated, I miss my US trips, but I plan to continue boycotting until significant changes occur. With no clear resolution in sight, this trend appears set to continue.