Canada’s Thriving Tourism To US Set For Catastrophic Fall As Tariffs, Rising Political Strains, And A Boycott Devastate Visitor Numbers

Canada’s thriving tourism to the United States is on the verge of a catastrophic fall as political tensions, rising tariffs, and a growing boycott movement drastically impact cross-border travel, threatening billions in revenue. Once a reliable stream of over 20 million Canadian visitors annually—contributing US$20.5 billion to the U.S. economy and supporting around 140,000 jobs—this flow is now weakening under the weight of disillusionment with an “America First” president who has floated tariff threats and inflammatory comments about annexing Canada. New U.S. visitor registration rules, concerns over immigration detentions, and backlash against the rollback of transgender rights have further soured sentiment. Early signs show sharp drops in Canadian arrivals to key cities like Las Vegas, New York, and Newark, while spending in border towns like Whitefish, Montana has slumped 14%. Though destinations like Phoenix have seen gains, the strength of the U.S. dollar and shifting political winds are driving a broader retreat that may mark the end of an era in North American travel—and with current conditions deepening, the downturn is widely expected to accelerate in the months ahead.

The United States has historically been the top destination for Canadian tourists, with 20.4 million visits recorded last year, according to the US Travel Association. These visits contributed approximately US$20.5 billion to the American economy and supported around 140,000 jobs.

However, this trend is set to reverse this year. Canadians, increasingly disillusioned by the rhetoric of an “America First” president who has threatened tariffs as a policy tool and often discusses transforming Canada into the 51st state, are rethinking their travel plans.

In addition to these political tensions, a recent update to the U.S. visitor registration rule follows a shift in advisories from several European countries in response to the Trump administration’s rollback of transgender rights. Moreover, Canadians, along with other foreign nationals, have faced detention by U.S. immigration authorities over travel visa complications.

Data shows a 9.4% decrease in Canadian arrivals to Las Vegas in February compared to the previous year, and a drop of 11% for Newark and New York airports. However, not all U.S. destinations have seen a decline, as Phoenix saw a 15% increase in Canadian visitors.

Canada’s once-booming tourism to the U.S. is plunging as political tensions, tariffs, and a mounting boycott drive Canadians away, threatening billions in revenue and signaling a deeper collapse ahead.

The strength of the U.S. dollar, which diminishes Canadians’ purchasing power, is also influencing travel decisions. For instance, spending in Whitefish, Montana—a town just 60 miles from the British Columbia border—fell by 14% in January compared to the previous year, according to Brian Schott, a communications specialist for the Whitefish Convention and Visitors Bureau.

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