In a notable change in travel habits, Canadians reduced their spending on trips to the United States by $3.3 billion in 2025, a sharp decline from the previous year’s figures. The drop, from $22.1 billion in 2024 to $18.8 billion in 2025, highlights a shift in travel preferences amidst ongoing political and trade tensions between the two nations.
Conversely, Canadian expenditures on international travel outside of the U.S. surged by $3.6 billion, bringing the total to $22.8 billion. This increase reflects a growing interest in alternative destinations, with travel to Europe rising by nearly 14% and visits to Asia increasing by almost 17%. These figures indicate a clear trend of Canadians opting for different international experiences over traditional trips to the United States.
The decline in U.S.-bound travel was further evidenced by a significant drop in border traffic in 2025. Both road and air return trips from the U.S. to Canada fell by approximately 25% compared to 2024. The most pronounced decrease was seen in July, when crossings plummeted by about one-third, underscoring the extent of the change in travel dynamics during that period.
As this trend extends into 2026, travel volumes to the United States remain noticeably lower than in previous years. Officials have noted these statistics as indicative of a lasting shift in Canadian travel behavior, moving away from the U.S. as a primary destination. This ongoing development suggests that Canadians are continuing to explore and embrace a wider array of international travel options.