Concerns over democracy and tariffs drive Canadians to change travel plans
For decades, millions of Canadians have flocked to the United States for vacations, making it their top travel destination. However, this year, many are choosing to stay home, citing concerns over Donald Trump’s policies, threats of annexation, and trade tariffs.
The US Travel Association reported that 20.4 million Canadians visited the United States last year, contributing $20.5 billion to the American economy and supporting 140,000 jobs. However, those numbers are expected to drop significantly as Canadians cancel their trips in protest.
“We don’t want to support the US”
Rosalie Cote, who has spent summers in Maine with her family for 25 years, said they are skipping their trip this year out of principle.
“We don’t want to support the United States,” Cote explained.
Similarly, Romane Gauvreau canceled both a mountain biking trip to Vermont and a planned family vacation.
“We don’t want to go to a place where democracy is in danger, where people suffer great injustices, and where people are being deported,” she told AFP.
A recent Abacus Data survey found that 56% of Canadians have either canceled or changed their US travel plans. According to Flight Centre Canada, bookings to American destinations dropped by 40% in February compared to last year, with 20% of existing reservations being canceled.
‘Snowbirds’ reconsider wintering in the US
Canadian retirees who typically spend winters in southern US states—known as “snowbirds”—are also rethinking their plans.
Andre Laurent, a retired civil servant who spent half the year in Florida for over two decades, decided to sell his home there.
“Everything has changed since Trump returned to office,” he said, describing his experience as “unpleasant.” He added, “I no longer felt welcomed, and I even felt like I was betraying my country.”
Five of his Canadian neighbors in Florida also chose to leave the US permanently.
‘Choose Canada’ movement gains traction
Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who faced Trump’s tariff policies during his time in office, encouraged Canadians to vacation within their own country instead.
The “Choose Canada” campaign has gained traction on social media, promoting destinations such as the Rocky Mountains and Prince Edward Island.
Travel agencies have also adjusted to the shift in demand. Nuance du Monde, a Canadian travel company, has stopped promoting trips to the US.
“We’re boycotting them in light of the current situation,” said company director Samy Hammadache, predicting a significant impact on US tourism.
Instead, Canadian travelers are opting for destinations in Europe, the Caribbean, and Central America. Canadian airline Flair Airlines has also responded to the changing demand by increasing flights to Mexico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic.
Domestic tourism expected to reach record levels
Tourism professor Michel Archambault expects domestic tourism in Canada to hit record highs this year. A Leger survey found that six in ten Canadians plan to vacation within the country, a significant increase from previous years.
A declining Canadian dollar has also made US travel less affordable.
For Cote, however, the decision to boycott US travel is about more than money.
“We must spend at home rather than with neighbors who play dirty tricks on us,” she said.