Canadians Forge Ahead with US Travel Boycott Amidst Rising Tensions

Fri Nov 14 2025 18:03:48 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A growing number of Canadians are opting to boycott travel to the United States in response to political tensions and policies enacted by the Trump administration. This trend could reshape tourism and trade ties between the two neighboring countries.

As dissatisfaction with U.S. policies grows among Canadians, a significant decline in cross-border travel continues. Data shows a nearly 24% drop in air travel and a 30% decline in car trips to the U.S. as Canadians push back against tariffs and other political actions under the Trump administration. Efforts to draw Canadian tourists back, such as offering discounts, may be insufficient to alter this trend. Meanwhile, Canada's domestic tourism booms—a silver lining in an otherwise strained relationship.

Kristy Gammon used to travel to the US from Canada at least once every other year, taking ski trips at Lake Placid in New York and attending Baltimore Orioles baseball games with her husband. But this year, the Nova Scotia resident has even avoided passing through the US on her way to Ontario, twenty-four hours for the return trip home.

Since President Donald Trump took office, Gammon said both she and her Canadian friends have decided to boycott the US as a protest against policies they oppose. 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, how they're treating their allies and neighbors, especially Canada, she expressed.

This sentiment is reflected in data that indicates a downward trend in travel: October marked the 10th month of decline in the number of Canadians traveling to the US. Reports show nearly a 24% drop in air travel and over 30% in car travel compared to the previous year. As relationships between the two countries remain sour, fueled by tariffs on Canadian goods and public comments by Trump about making Canada a state, a significant community of Canadians appears committed to this boycott.

Historically, Canadians have constituted about a quarter of all international visitors to the United States, spending over $20 billion annually. However, since the imposition of tariffs on goods from Canada aimed at reducing the trade deficit, this pattern has shifted. In addition to economic consequences, the strained diplomatic relations — ignited by trade and accusations regarding the flow of fentanyl — further exacerbate the travel decline.

Canadian tourist destinations are trying to attract back their American neighbors, using promotions like a Canadian Welcome Pass that offers discounts to entice them back to the US. However, recent trends indicate that even snowbirds — typically retirees who travel south for warmth — are choosing to remain in Canada over US trips, with only 10% planning to travel south this year, a significant decline from previous years.

While some Canadians lament the missed opportunities for US travel, many have embraced domestic tourism as an alternative; Canada saw a record-breaking C$59 billion in tourism from May to August, a 6% increase from the previous year. Ms. Gammon noted that several of her friends have even sold their winter homes in the US, indicating a pronounced shift in travel habits due to evolving political landscapes.

Despite the economic impact of this trend, which may see the US lacking visitors from Canada, major upcoming events like the FIFA 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles could bring in international tourists, helping to buffer against the loss of Canadian travelers.