VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Diana and Rick Bellamy, a couple from Calgary, initially planned a vacation that included a Caribbean cruise departing from Houston, followed by a visit to Laurel, Mississippi, to see the setting of their favorite HGTV show, “Home Town.” However, they decided to cancel these plans due to concerns over the Trump administration’s trade policies, perceived anti-Canadian sentiments, and the increased scrutiny at U.S. borders.
Instead, they opted for a trip along Mexico’s Pacific coast, a decision that Diana found surprisingly more comfortable than traveling to the U.S. “I never thought I would hear myself say that,” she remarked, reflecting on the shift in travel preferences.
The growing dissatisfaction among Canadians has been influenced by President Donald Trump’s economic policies directed at Canada, which have resulted in many canceling their visits to the U.S. This change in sentiment has also seemed to impact Canadian politics, with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal Party seeing a resurgence as the parliamentary elections approach.
In terms of tourism, the U.S. typically receives more Canadian visitors than those from any other nation. The U.S. Travel Association reports that 20.4 million visits occurred last year, generating $20.5 billion in spending. Despite this, there has been a marked decrease in Canadian travelers since Trump took office. In comparison to March 2024, there were over 910,000 fewer land border crossings from Canada last month, representing a decline of more than 22%, as indicated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection data. Additionally, Air Canada has observed a 10% drop in flight bookings between Canada and the U.S. for the upcoming months.
President Trump downplayed these statistics, attributing it perhaps to “a little nationalism,” and suggested it was not a significant issue.
Many Canadians have expressed anxiety over traveling to the U.S., influenced by reports of detentions and intense checks at U.S. border crossings. Jasmine Mooney, a Canadian actor with a U.S. work visa, was detained for 12 days by U.S. border agents in San Diego earlier this year. This case, among others, has led to public concern in Canada about crossing into the U.S. under the current administration.
Organizations like the Canadian Association of University Teachers have even cautioned their members about unnecessary travel to the U.S., citing the political climate and the risks faced by those critical of Trump’s policies.
Former Quebec Premier Jean Charest voiced his concerns, expressing confusion at the lack of awareness among Americans about the chilling effect their current political landscape has on cross-border travel.
Vancouver’s Mike Sauer, who operates a community policing center, has decided against traveling to the U.S. amid fears related to Trump’s administration and border issues. His primary worry surrounds the legality of marijuana, which, while legal in Canada and certain U.S. states, remains illegal federally in the U.S.
Similarly, Dietra Wilson from Windsor, Ontario, has limited her trips to the U.S., despite previous frequent visits to nearby Detroit. Both she and her husband, Ben, have heard numerous accounts of difficulties experienced by individuals at the border.
In response to the decline in Canadian visitors, California Governor Gavin Newsom has initiated an advertising campaign to encourage Canadians to visit his state, pointing to a notable 12% decrease in February year-over-year.
Travel industry professionals, like McKenzie McMillan of The Travel Group, have observed a significant drop in U.S. bookings, indicating a nearly complete collapse. Lesley Keyter of the Travel Lady agency noted instances where travelers have willingly forfeited trip costs to avoid traveling to the U.S.
Overall, the combination of political tensions and heightened travel concerns is reshaping the travel dynamics between Canada and the United States.