Mounting political tensions, a sinking loonie and growing personal unease are prompting a significant shift in Canadian travel habits — with many saying they’re actively steering clear of the United States in 2025.
Exclusive data compiled by Money.ca shows a strong majority of Canadians are changing their plans to avoid visiting the U.S. this year. In response to the question, “Have you changed your travel plans this year to avoid going to the U.S.?”, nearly two-thirds of respondents said yes, with 35.7% cancelling their trip outright and 29.5% choosing a different country altogether.
Only 9% said they still intend to visit the U.S., while 21.4% said they had no plans to go in the first place. The rest remain undecided.
Combined, these findings indicate that over 65% of respondents have made a conscious decision to avoid travel to the United States in 2025.
This aligns with wider industry data that points to a steep drop in U.S.-bound travel from Canada. According to a report cited by CityNews Calgary, "bookings by Canadian travellers for U.S. Airbnb accommodations were down 12.1% in March 2025 compared with the same month last year."
A mix of politics, prices and priorities behind the trend
The downturn in U.S. travel isn’t just a matter of preference; it’s being driven by a mix of political and economic factors.
“We are seeing this as a widespread movement,” Beth Potter, president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, told CityNews. “Canadians are making travel decisions based on personal beliefs and political developments.”
The weakening Canadian dollar, which currently sits around 70 cents U.S., is also playing a major role. As Potter noted, the cost of American travel is rising for Canadians, pushing many to choose other destinations or stay closer to home.
Meanwhile, Statistics Canada data showed a 23% year-over-year drop in the number of Canadians driving across the border in February, and airline bookings between Canada and the U.S. are reportedly down more than 70% for the spring and summer.
Domestic tourism could benefit as Americans head north
While fewer Canadians are heading south, the domestic tourism sector may get a boost from travellers deciding to vacation at home, and from American tourists taking advantage of the exchange rate.
“Because of the drop in the Canadian dollar, we are going to see more American visitation to Canada,” Potter told CityNews.
With inflation and global instability influencing how people spend, the travel decisions Canadians are making in 2025 appear to reflect deeper economic caution and a growing awareness of geopolitical dynamics. The sharp pullback from U.S. destinations may be part of a longer-term shift in where and why Canadians choose to travel.
Sources
1. CityNews Calgary: Fewer people are travelling to Canada: StatCan (April 23, 2025)
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
