The number of Canadians traveling to the United States has dropped in recent months, as trade tensions with the Trump administration and calls to boycott U.S. goods and travel have prompted Canadians to vacation elsewhere.Research from the University of Toronto found a roughly 42% year-over-year median decline in Canadian visits to U.S. metropolitan areas between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, and the same period one year later.Their research showed significant declines in “snowbird” destinations in the South and border cities in New England. They also found drops at tourist destinations such as Las Vegas, Nevada, and Disney World.
The decline comes as the U.S. and Canada remain locked in tense negotiations over tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Last week, negotiations collapsed after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the administration made unfair last-minute changes to the framework of a possible agreement, prompting the tariffs to take effect Saturday.The latest tariffs come on top of measures targeting Canadian goods earlier in Trump’s second term and his repeated threats to make Canada the “51st state.” The tensions have spilled over into the tourism industry, with states that traditionally rely heavily on Canadian visitors seeing significant declines.Likewise, a July report from the Canadian government pointed to a broader shift in Canadian travel away from the U.S. Canadian travel to the U.S. fell 25% last year, according to the report, with early 2026 data indicating that the decline has persisted.“Following the change in the U.S. administration in early 2025 and the implementation of America First policies, Canadian travel sentiment shifted abruptly,” the report said.New York, Florida, and Nevada have been among those feeling the greatest impact this year.Florida tourism declined for a second consecutive quarter, with the state reporting fewer domestic, overseas, and Canadian visitors compared with the same period a year earlier. Canadian travel to the state also remains below pre-pandemic levels.Visit Florida said travel patterns in early 2026 showed “a persistent shift away from the United States by Canadian residents in their travel preferences.”New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) recently announced the launch of a “NY LOVES CANADA” promotion on the I LOVE NY website, offering Canadian travelers deals and other opportunities throughout the state during the final weeks of summer and into the fall, with some promotions running through December.“Canada is a strategic and vital ally to New York, and the state’s tourism businesses are feeling the impact of fewer visitors traveling to our communities,” Hochul said. “Our message is one of love: New York loves Canada, despite whatever headwinds may challenge our fellowship. This new program is our invitation to Canadian travelers. New York and Canada are neighbors by geographic destiny, but we are friends by choice, and we want our Canadian companions to know that they are welcome in New York State.”Canada has long been New York’s largest international tourism market. In 2025, overall visitation to New York state increased 1.1% to 321 million visitors, but international travel declined 6%, driven in part by a significant decrease in Canadian visitors. Spending by Canadian travelers fell 28% from 2024.Las Vegas, too, saw a 17.4% decrease in Canadian visitors in 2025, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.CARNEY SAYS US ‘ATTACKED’ CANADA WITH TARIFFS AND PROMISES RETALIATIONOther states have created efforts to woo Canadian tourists. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) launched the “California Loves Canada Campaign,” offering discounts to Canadian travelers. States across the Midwest, such as North Dakota and Iowa, also pushed travel marketing materials to showcase their destinations.Carney’s response to the latest breakdown in negotiations has also received broad support in Canada. Polling conducted after the talks collapsed found that roughly 3 in 4 Canadians supported his decision to walk away from negotiations.
