In 2025, Canadians significantly curtailed their travel expenditures to the United States, spending $3.3 billion less than in 2024. This downturn in travel spending, which dropped from $22.1 billion to $18.8 billion, coincides with heightened political and trade tensions between the two nations. Meanwhile, Canadian travelers redirected their interests to other global destinations, marking a notable shift in their travel preferences.
As Canadian spending in the U.S. waned, international travel expenditures elsewhere surged. Canadians spent an additional $3.6 billion on travel outside the United States, bringing the total to $22.8 billion. European destinations saw a near 14% boost in Canadian visitors, while travel to Asia increased by almost 17%. These figures indicate a clear preference among Canadians for exploring alternative international locales over visiting the U.S.
The decline in travel to the United States was also mirrored in border traffic statistics throughout 2025. The number of return trips from the U.S. to Canada, whether by road or air, plummeted by about 25% compared to the previous year. July witnessed the most significant drop, with border crossings reduced by roughly one-third, highlighting a substantial dip in travel activities during that period.
This trend of reduced travel to the United States has persisted into 2026, with travel volumes continuing to lag behind pre-2025 levels. According to officials, this ongoing pattern demonstrates a lasting change in the travel habits of Canadians, who are increasingly opting for destinations outside the United States.