As reported by US media, growing trade and political tensions have prompted a significant drop in the number of Canadians traveling to the US. Canadian tourists, a key demographic for the US tourism industry, are now avoiding their southern neighbor, and the resulting decline in visitor numbers is bad news for many US cities.
According to the Los Angeles Times on April 26, some Canadians who had initially planned trips to the US have decided to change their plans, choosing destinations like Mexico instead. The report highlights that the Trump administration's economic policies targeting Canada, as well as controversial comments suggesting Canada could become the "51st state" of the US, have angered many Canadians. In response, the Canadian government issued an updated travel advisory in April, warning its citizens of potential scrutiny or even detention at US border crossings.
Statistics from the US Travel Association reveal that Canada is the largest source of international tourists to the US, with 20.4 million visits last year contributing US$20.5 billion in spending. However, US Customs and Border Protection reported that cross-border traffic from Canada via land routes fell by over 22% in March compared to the same period last year. Additionally, Canadian airline carriers noted a 10% year-over-year decline in ticket bookings for US destinations from April through September. Besides, a travel consultant at a Vancouver-based agency stated that their US travel business has nearly ceased, with bookings plummeting by about 90% since February.
The impact is particularly evident in cities like Nashville, Tennessee, where nearly half of international tourists come from Canada. According to CBS News, the ongoing trade war between the US and Canada has led to a sharp decline in Canadian tourists, severely affecting local businesses. A Nashville-based tourism operator mentioned feeling the effects of US tariff policies, especially after long-time Canadian clients canceled their reservations. The report warns that the US-Canada trade war could take a heavy toll on Nashville's economy.
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