In the eyes of Canadians, U.S. President Donald Trump has been undermining the sovereignty and dignity of their beloved nation, and it’s now spiking a travel revolt.
Since taking office in January, Trump has hit Canada with a number of tariffs and made comments about the nation becoming the 51st State. Furthermore, he’s signed an administrative order that requires all foreign nationals visiting the U.S. for more than 30 days to register with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), as of April 11, 2025.
Between Trump’s tariff policies and seemingly anti-Canadian rhetoric, not to mention additional travel rules, Canadians are feeling fed up. Now, the data is showing how fed up with it we are.
Travel data from Statistics Canada shows that in January, Canadians slowed travel plans to the United States. Canadians travelling abroad dropped 0.5% in January on an annual basis, while returning Canadian residents from the U.S. dropped by 6.4% from December 2024 to January of this year.
Airline industry monitor OAG Aviation Worldwide’s Chief Analyst, John Grant, found that, “U.S. [airline] routes are currently down by 70% compared to the same period last year.
“This sharp drop suggests that travellers are holding off on making reservations, likely due to ongoing uncertainty surrounding the broader trade dispute,” he said.
U.S. airline routes aren’t the only travel options with vacancies, however. According to a report from the Ottawa Citizen, Canadian travel company Travac Tours hasn’t sold a single bus seat on its U.S. tours, “since Donald Trump announced the imposition of tariffs on Canadian goods.”
Because of Trump’s repeated derogatory comments and political climate changes to the South, more Canadians appear to be gearing up for domestic plans. “It has sparked a resurgence of Canadiana I have not seen in a long time,” travel agent Gilbert Manza told Travelweek, adding that, “There have definitely been more inquiries for this summer about travel within Canada.”
This change in travel preferences isn’t expected to slow down, either.
Canadian domestic travel expected to surge in response
While the number of Candians travelling to the U.S. is in a sharp decline, this is a change in location, not a reduction of travel plans. More and more Canadians are expected to travel the Great White North instead.
Latest figures from travel business Adventure Canada are showing a rapid climb in choosing domestic travel. According to Travel Pulse Canada, Adventure Canada is expecting 71% of its bookings to be filled by Canadians in 2025 — that ratio is expected to rise to 78% in 2026.
“It’s inspiring to see more Canadians eager to experience the breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and incredible people that make our country so unique," said Cedar Swan, CEO of Adventure Canada, in a statement.
How to travel within Canada on a reduced budget
Even if Canadians are choosing not to travel internationally this year, they’re still feeling pressure on their wallets. The most recent Canadian Survey of Consumer Expectations from the Bank of Canada found that “Consumers have also become more pessimistic about their financial health, largely because they expect their finances to worsen over the next 12 months.” And it’s worth noting that this survey was done in Q1 of 2025, *before *Trump’s 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum were implemented.
Canadians are also facing increased prices on domestic travel. For example, last year, domestic flights between Canadian cities (e.g. Edmonton to Vancouver) rose as much as 82%. While, according to World Economic Forum, Canada ranks 101 out of 116 in price competitiveness for flights.
Regardless of how you’re crossing the country, using sites such as Trivgo, Kayak or Google Flights can help you find a deal quickly. According to Lonely Planet, it’s best tpbook your holidays in off-season months, such as January, February or September. Cooler temperatures usually bring fewer tourists, and costs decline to match lowered demand.
If national flights are too pricey for you, consider camping instead. Tenting is extremely wallet-friendly compared to a hotel stay, renting or purchasing an RV, for example. Fuelling up an RV just got a little easier in Canada, with the removal of the carbon tax loewr the price at the pump. If you’re inclined to drive cross-Canada through the country’s many national parks, consider buying a Discovery Pass. The pass can pay for itself in as little as seven days compared to purchasing daily passes, for example.
Another tip is to start using a travel credit card to earn points while you spend locally. Many credit card issuers have substantial welcome bonuses that you can use right away to plan your summer Canadian trip. Also take the time to research Canadian alternatives to popular American travel destinations if you changed your U.S. travel plans to Canadian ones and are looking for a similar experience at home.
Regardless of how you decide to travel in Canada this year, you can be sure that its rugged landscapes, breathtaking views, vibrant vegetation and teeming wildlife won’t disappoint.
Sources
1. Global News: U.S. clarifies new April registration rules, including for some Canadians (Mar 12, 2025)
2. Statistics Canada: Travel between Canada and other countries, January 2025 (Mar 21, 2025)
3. Statistics Canada: International travellers entering or returning to Canada, by type of transportation and traveller type, seasonally-adjusted (Mar 21, 2025)
4. OAG: Canada – US Aviation: Airlines Respond to Weakening Demand, by Jon Grant (Mar 26, 2025)
5. Ottawa Citizen: Ottawa travel company hasn’t sold a single U.S. trip since Trump tariffs (Mar 26, 2025)
6. Travelweek: With Canadian views of the U.S. hitting historic lows, travel advisors share their feedback, by Kathryn Folliott (Mar 4, 2025)
7. Travel Pulse Canada: Canadians Choose Local: Surge in Domestic Travel, by Natasha Lair-McKenty (Mar 26, 2025)
8. Bank of Canada: Canadian Survey of Consumer Expectations—First Quarter of 2025 (Apr 7, 2025)
9. CTV News: Canadians paying significantly more for airfares as summer ticket prices jump (Jun 17, 2024)
10. World Economic Forum: Travel & Tourism Development Index 2024 (May 2024)
11. Lonely Planet: Canada on a budget: how to stay, eat and frolic in the outdoors for less, by Bianca Bujan (Apr 12, 2024)
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
