Global attitudes toward the United States as a tourism destination are sinking, with travel pressures, exchange rate fluctuations, and mounting economic uncertainty adversely impacting the American travel sector’s reputation.
This trend is particularly evident among Canadian travelers, who are increasingly opting for domestic destinations rather than heading south. In July, Canada experienced its seventh consecutive month of declining travel by Canadians to the U.S.
Political tensions likely play a significant role in this shift. U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated assertions regarding annexing Greenland and designating Canada as the “51st state” continue to strain diplomatic relations between the U.S. and its allies.
For potential travelers, these political strains serve as an additional deterrent to visiting the U.S. A recent survey indicated that about three-quarters of Canadians view Trump as “dangerous,” and this sentiment contributes to historically low favorable views of the U.S.
Impacting travels south of the border, many Canadians reconsidered plans for business, leisure, or educational trips to the U.S., with some even choosing to boycott American products.
According to a prediction from Tourism Economics for spring 2025, there may be as much as a 20% drop in Canadian visits to the U.S. The U.S. Travel Association warns that even a 10% decrease would mean two million fewer visits and a loss of $2.1 billion in traveler spending.
As of late summer, data shows that Canadian visitation to the U.S. had already fallen by approximately 25% for the year, signifying a continued downturn in U.S.-inbound travel.
This decline reflects prevailing anxiety surrounding border-related issues, including selected detentions and requests for Canadians to register with Homeland Security if planning to stay in the U.S. for over thirty days. Such measures have raised concerns about a more intrusive travel experience. Some Canadians have even gone so far as to label the U.S. as a “hostile state.”
The repercussions of declining Canadian travel are keenly felt in U.S. border cities that heavily depend on visitors from Canada. Areas that once thrived on a vibrant Canadian tourist influx now find themselves struggling.
Locations like Buffalo, New York, attempted to attract Canadian visitors through welcoming promotions and special deals over the summer. However, Patrick Kaler, CEO of Visit Buffalo Niagara, remarked that their efforts proved ineffective as the expected wave of Canadian tourists failed to materialize.
The financial shockwaves of this decline extend beyond major tourist destinations. For instance, a golf club in New York reported losing $400,000 in revenue previously generated from Canadian visitors.
The issues do not solely involve Canadian travelers; while Canada has seen a rise in European visitors, U.S. statistics reveal a 17% decline in European arrivals this past spring. This decline is also attributed to the policies and actions of the Trump administration.
Conversely, while travel to the U.S. is on the decline, domestic tourism in Canada is flourishing. Tourism constitutes Canada’s second-largest service export, generating $31 billion for the country last year, according to Destination Canada.
This year, the trend of Canadians exploring their own country has intensified, with 77.4 million trips recorded within Canada during the first quarter of 2025. This growth is a positive development for local tourism organizations and businesses, which have increasingly relied on domestic travelers.
However, the ongoing atmosphere of uncertainty over American tariffs, policies, and bilateral relations is causing concern for Canadian tourism businesses. Many Indigenous business owners, in particular, are facing significant challenges as they navigate inflationary pressures and workforce shortages.
Looking ahead, the downturn in travel to the U.S. may extend well beyond summer, as tourism trends continue to evolve. The statistics highlight the hurdles that the U.S. tourism sector is currently experiencing and is likely to continue facing moving forward.
As World Tourism Day approaches on September 27, travel and tourism professionals are encouraged to reflect on the industry’s development. The day emphasizes raising awareness of tourism’s importance in terms of its social, cultural, political, and economic value on a global scale.
Tourism experts remain committed to promoting Canadian goodwill through the actions of professionals and travelers who prioritize kindness in their journeys—a practice that may resonate more profoundly than many might anticipate.
image source from：theconversation
