Potential Canadian Travel Decline Could Deliver Economic Blow to U.S. Tourism

 

A potential drop in Canadian travel to the United States could trigger significant economic repercussions, threatening a critical cross-border tourism pipeline that generated $20.5 billion in 2024, according to the U.S. Travel Association.

The association warns that Canada remains the United States' most valuable international visitor market, with 20.4 million trips last year supporting 140,000 American jobs. Even a modest 10% reduction could translate to 2 million fewer visits and $2.1 billion in lost revenue.

The potential downturn comes amid rising trade tensions, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau actively encouraging domestic travel. "Now is the time to choose Canada," Trudeau said, promoting national and provincial parks as alternative destination

States with the most to lose include Florida, California, Nevada, New York and Texas — traditional Canadian vacation hotspots. Shopping remains the top leisure activity for Canadian travelers, putting retail and hospitality sectors at particular risk.

Tags: U.S. Travel Association