Canadian Travel to U.S. Declines for 12th Straight Month

Boycott costs U.S. economy $4.5 billion in 2025 as Canadians shun American destinations

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Canadian travelers have cost the American economy $4.5 billion over the past year, as trips to the U.S. took another tumble in January 2026. The number of Canadians taking road trips into the U.S. dropped by 27% last month compared to January 2025, while air travel from Canada declined 18% year-over-year. This marks the twelfth consecutive month of steep declines in inbound Canadian travel, with double-digit year-over-year drops every month since April 2025.

Why it matters

Canadian tourists were previously the biggest single source of international visitors to the U.S., making up roughly one-quarter of all foreign travelers. The prolonged drop in Canadian visitors is especially worrisome for destinations like Florida, which saw a 20% decline in Canadian visitation last summer, and for businesses like Disney that rely heavily on international tourism.

The details

The U.S. Travel Association warned a year ago that even a 10% reduction in Canadian inbound travel could translate to $2.1 billion in lost spending and 140,000 jobs jeopardized in the hospitality and related sectors. The actual decline was more than double that hypothetical drop. Given that Canadian tourists spent $20.5 billion in the U.S. in 2024, a 22% decline in visitation in 2025 translates to an economic hit of roughly $4.5 billion.

  • In January 2026, the number of Canadians taking road trips into the U.S. dropped by 27% compared to January 2025.
  • In January 2026, there was an 18% year-over-year decline in air travelers from Canada.
  • The 12-month streak of steep declines in inbound Canadian travel to the U.S. began in April 2025.

The players

U.S. Travel Association (USTA)

The national, non-profit organization representing the U.S. travel industry.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who imposed tariffs on Canadian goods, straining relations between the two countries.

Justin Trudeau

The former Prime Minister of Canada who urged citizens to reconsider visiting the U.S. in response to Trump's tariffs.

Flight Centre

Canada's largest travel agency that saw a 40% decrease in leisure bookings to the U.S. in February 2025 and a 20% cancellation rate on prebooked trips.

Disney

The entertainment company that warned of 'international visitation headwinds' at its domestic parks, likely due to the decline in Canadian visitors.

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What they’re saying

“Any Republican, in the House or the Senate, that votes against TARIFFS will seriously suffer the consequences come Election time, and that includes Primaries!”

— Donald Trump (TRUTH Social)

The takeaway

The year-long Canadian boycott of U.S. travel destinations has had a significant economic impact, costing the American economy an estimated $4.5 billion in 2025. This prolonged decline in Canadian visitors poses a major challenge for tourism-dependent businesses and destinations, highlighting the importance of maintaining strong international relationships.