A recent study revealed that the boycott of U.S. travel by Canadians, largely due to disapproval of President Donald Trump’s policies and trade tariffs, has had a more significant impact than initially estimated. While official data from Statistics Canada indicated a 25% decrease in Canadian travelers returning from the U.S. last year, research conducted by the University of Toronto’s School of Cities using cellphone data suggested a more substantial drop of around 42% in cross-border trips.
The analysis focused on Canadian mobile devices traveling to U.S. metropolitan areas from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026. The decline in travel was particularly notable in popular warm-weather destinations traditionally favored by Canadian tourists seeking respite from winter conditions. For instance, trips to Myrtle Beach, S.C., saw a 65% decrease, making it the metro area with the most significant decline in Canadian visitors.
Other locations like Panama City, Orlando, Cape Coral, Miami, and Naples in Florida experienced declines of 50% or more in Canadian visitors. Even major business hubs such as San Francisco, New York, Ann Arbor, and Boston saw a reduction of over 50% in visits by Canadians.
The study highlighted that out of the 267 U.S. metro areas analyzed, only three showed an increase in visits from Canadians. Lead researcher Karen Chapple emphasized the broad impact of the boycott, affecting both leisure and business travel. The data suggested a shift in cross-border business and trade patterns, with Canadian businesses exploring opportunities in other countries due to the challenging U.S. market conditions.
The significant drop in cross-border movement has not only affected tourism but has also impacted Canadian businesses reliant on traveler flow. The Frontier Duty Free Association reported a substantial downturn in sales, leading to concerns about potential business closures. The situation has been particularly challenging for Las Vegas, traditionally a key destination for Canadian tourists, with the decline in visitors prompting calls for their return to help revive the local economy.
Overall, the data underscores the ongoing repercussions of the Canadian travel boycott on the U.S. economy and trade relationships, signaling a noteworthy shift in travel patterns and economic dynamics between the two countries.
