The trend of Canadians opting out of travel to the United States shows no signs of slowing. Many are taking this step as a form of protest against U.S. policies under President Donald Trump.
Kristy Gammon, a resident of Nova Scotia, used to make frequent trips to the U.S. for activities such as skiing in Lake Placid and attending Baltimore Orioles baseball games with her husband. This year, however, she has completely avoided the U.S., even bypassing the country on her travel route to Ontario.
Ms. Gammon shared that she and many of her friends have collectively decided to stop visiting the U.S., expressing discontent with the administration's international actions and its treatment of allies, particularly Canada.
Statistics support this growing trend: Canada has experienced a 10-month consecutive decline in travelers heading to the U.S., with air travel dropping by nearly 24% and car travel by over 30% in comparison to last year. Overall, the U.S. has seen a 3.2% decline in international spending due to fewer Canadian visitors.
Political relations remain tense, exacerbated by tariffs imposed on Canadian goods and trade disputes, leading to further discouragement from crossing the border.
Considering Canadians have previously comprised about a quarter of all international visitors to the U.S., their absence is significantly impacting local economies in popular destinations.
Various U.S. locales are attempting to entice Canadian tourists back, one notable initiative being a Canadian Welcome Pass in Kalispell, Montana, offering discounts to Canadian visitors.
Despite the attempts to attract Canadian tourists, the domestic tourism sector in Canada is thriving as more Canadians opt for local travel. New records have been set in domestic tourism expenditure, suggesting a shift in travel preferences amid the ongoing political strife.
Looking ahead, travelers are left to wonder whether their travel plans will change should the political landscape shift dramatically in the coming years.
