Canadian Travelers Rethink U.S. Trips Amid Tariff Dispute, Travel Agents Report

Amid the growing trade dispute between Canada and the U.S., travel agents across the country report a wave of cancellations for trips to popular American destinations—with many Canadians opting for alternative travel spots instead.

The shift comes as U.S. President Donald Trump intensifies tariff threats, imposing a 25% duty on steel and aluminum imports from Canada and musing about making Canada the 51st U.S. state. While broader tariffs on Canadian goods have been temporarily paused, the threats have already sparked a surge in national pride—reflected in everything from boos during the U.S. national anthem at sporting events to a decline in travel bookings to American cities.

Travel Agents See a Shift Away from U.S. Destinations

According to Vancouver-based travel consultant McKenzie McMillan, the reaction from travelers feels different this time compared to previous disputes.

"We certainly saw it during the first Trump presidency, with Canadians saying they would avoid the U.S., but this time, people are actually canceling trips and rebooking elsewhere," McMillan said.

Canadian tourists have long been a critical economic driver for U.S. travel hotspots like Palm Springs, Phoenix, and Orlando, but that could now change.

"A lot of those Sun Belt destinations are going to be hit really hard by Canadians choosing to either stay home or travel elsewhere," McMillan explained.

Billions in Potential Losses for U.S. Tourism

According to the U.S. Travel Association, Canada is the largest source of international visitors to the U.S., with 20.4 million visits in 2024, generating $20.5 billion USD in spending and supporting 140,000 American jobs.

A 10% decline in Canadian visitors could mean a $2.1 billion loss in travel revenue and put 14,000 U.S. jobs at risk, the association said in a statement.

Calls for Canadians to Rethink U.S. Travel

Both B.C. Premier David Eby and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have urged Canadians to reconsider traveling to the U.S. in response to the tariff threats.

"Canadians are taking a stand in solidarity," said Amra Durakovic of Flight Centre. "They're showing Americans—or rather, the U.S. administration—where they are going to spend their tourism dollars."

Where Are Canadians Going Instead?

Travel agencies report an uptick in bookings to:

• Canada’s East Coast

• Mexico

• Portugal

• Antigua

Durakovic also advises travelers to prepay gratuities if they are heading to destinations outside Canada to mitigate currency fluctuations.

Too Early for Official Travel Data

While travel agents are noticing a shift, official statistics are not yet available. Neither Statistics Canada nor the U.S. Bureau of Transportation has released recent travel figures for the past two weeks.

However, Durakovic noted that the sentiment among travelers is strong—with many saying they are avoiding the U.S. out of principle rather than financial reasons.

With rising tensions and potential economic fallout on both sides of the border, the coming months will reveal whether this travel trend continues—or if diplomatic negotiations can ease concerns.