As European travel and travel to Mexico booms for American and Canadian travelers alike, both North American countries are seeing visitation to their own countries drop, with Canadians boycotting the United States causing a “Trump Slump” in tourism, and Americans now choosing more affordable, warmer-weather destinations to save money.
According to Travel and Tour World, both Canadian and American airlines are cutting back routes between the two countries as visitation dips. United, Delta, American Airlines, JetBlue, WestJet, Air Canada and others have all cut service and routes between the two countries this year.
Statistics Canada reported a 24 percent decrease in returning Canadians from the United States in March; that number stayed 24.2 percent lower this May compared to May, 2024, signaling the so-called Trump Slump is staying in place as Canadians boycott the United States. Canadians returning from the U.S. by car is also 38.1 percent lower than in May 2024.
Meanwhile, the number of American travelers heading to Canada this year is also dropping steadily, though at a slower rate. In March, the number was down 6.6 percent from the same month in 2024; in May, the number was down 0.3 percent for air travelers and 8.4 percent for arrivals by car. Decreases in visitation were reported each of the first five months of the year.
The WTTC predicts that tighter border restrictions and the president’s comments about annexing Canada could spur as much as a $12.5 billion drop in tourism revenue in the United States this year, representing a 22.5 percent decline from 2019 levels.
While Americans and Canadians see drops in visitation to both countries, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe seem to be reaping the rewards.
Europe is enjoying a projected 11 percent increase in spending this year as it predicts a record summer season.
Mexico reported a 3.5 percent increase in international visitation during the first quarter of the year, with increases from both Americans and Canadians.
Several Caribbean destinations are also reporting visitation growth, including St. Kitts, the US Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.
In short, the trend of Americans not visiting Canada and Canadians not visiting the United States as they once did seems to have no signs of slowing down this year.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
