With an impending trade showdown and saber rattling between governments, it seems like there’s already some impact on travel. According to CBC news and CNN, it seems like some Canadians are canceling their trips to the US. The reason? Growing concerns citing the US President’s rhetoric.
Canadians canceling their trips to the US
The CBC interviewed Jason Dale, who said that he and his family canceled their trip to the US, owing to safety concerns pertaining to LGBTQ+ couples and families. According to CNN, this seems to be a growing concern amongst Canadians, with some pledging that they’ll only visit states run by Democrats.
The rhetoric about tariffs, the mockery of our prime minister and the musing about us becoming the 51st state, that did it for all of us,” Dale told CNN Travel. “Everyone was in agreement that we’re not going. We’re going to keep our money in our own country.”
Dale is part of a growing chorus of angry Canadians who have become vocal about boycotting travel to the US over the next four years. People on both sides of the border are already reporting travel-related fallout, with anxiety running both ways.
On social media, the discourse among many Canadians is a mix of worry, fear, outrage and disappointment. While some vow not to step foot in the US while Trump is in office, others say they are torn, as they have upcoming family or professional commitments.
Posts on social media suggest some Canadian snowbirds who usually escape Canadian winters in states like Florida or Arizona now say they are choosing to winter at home or are making a permanent move back north.
Some pledge to only visit Democrat-leaning states like California and New York. Others say they will continue to visit but spend at Black, Latino, POC and LGBTQ+-owned businesses and support marginalized groups perceived to have a target on their back under the Trump administration.
The Pundit’s Mantra
According to the US travel association, over 20 million Canadians visited the US in 2024. Moreover, the trade group has issued a word of caution, that even a 10% drop in Canadian travelers could result in over $2 billion in lost spending, potentially affecting up to 14,000 jobs.
Do political considerations or a change in government in a country make you alter your travel plans? Tell us in the comments section.
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To be honest: good riddance. They whine and beef about Trump while repeatedly electing the illegitimate son of Fidel to act as a proto-Marxist ruler of their land. Ruining truckers (and anyone else) who dares to use free speech in opposition to his aims. And most Canadians were cool with it. And apparently cool with lousy salaries combined with extortionate housing prices. So, to all of you up there: stay home. Or go to France. Or Cuba. Honestly, we don’t care and your absence won’t even be felt.
The one thing we do agree on is that having your country as a 51st state would be a horrible thing. After all, look at what you support. No way.
I fully support this and encourage Canadians, European, Australians, to visit Mexico and those states that are using their wallets to ensure resources are allocated in a way that you can feel good about. Here or in other forums, it’s interesting/annoying to see the annoyance demonstrated by some, who call these changes in travel plans anything from silly to stupid. It’s your dollar, spend how you wish and where you wish. I think it’s admirable that some take the time to make a conscious decision of where their dollars go, and while I agree, you are likely to find folks in every state who are welcoming to your spend, its a big world with a lot of grateful and businesses in need. I feel pretty powerless to change anything for the U.S., but also know as a consumer, there is power in that and only hope that enough consumers/travelers make the powers that be re-evaluate the consequences of their rhetoric and policy (probably won’t but I’ll feel better about it). For me, honestly, the recent comments about making Palestine the next Mediterranean hot spot and forced removal of 2M+ survivors didn’t demonstrate the new American sentiment and consideration for the world (as your elected representative) was enough. But that said, I take no issue with others choosing to stil travel to the U.S., I just feel a little national mode national pride when they say they’ll take an alternative. But not to worry, Trump’s plan will ensure the U.S. economy flourishes to levels never seen before, despite any shifts in spending for your neighbors up north.
Stop falling victim to propaganda and two party political BS. Do you really think the everyday commoners you would encounter while traveling through “Trump controlled states” are going to treat you any different than commoners from non-Trump controlled states? What is a Trump controlled state anyway? I don’t know of any…
Avoid the fear porn. Take and enjoy your trip wherever you want to go in the US – you will likely meet many, many welcoming people along your journeys just like you always have.
To my fellow Americans. Let’s go Felon. Screw Trump.
People that sensitive, impressionable or stupid shouldn’t be allowed here anyway. They’ll travel to Cuba though because that’s a place where the government isn’t oppressive.
We have already changed one travel plan. We are driving across the country from Toronto to Vancouver. We originally planned a 10-14 day trip across the U.S. but will now travel the route through Canada. We quite frankly don’t feel quite safe as Canadians travelling through so many Trump controlled states. We are not sure how riled up his supporters are about taking over Canada.
We travel about 6 months a year and will be reassessing any plans to include U.S. in those travels in the coming year. And then we will see. We have many good friends and family we will miss. But I know they will love visiting us in Canada and spend their vacation money here!
That’s pretty childish but hey enjoy your drive. Where else wouldn’t you visit?
Making up claims about a trade deficit is childish and making non stop excuses to try and take over Canada. No one is escaping Liberal policies either. Snowbirds go down for a few months to USA and Mexico to enjoy the sunshine and then they come back to Canada as soon as weather warms ups. Now Canadian snow birds are changing their plans. Canadians suddenly are buying more local products… Our dollar is down everything is to expensive is more expensive in the USA now and there are better more affordable places to visit. HOPEFULLY this is the kick in the but needed to get Canada cross country energy corridor going.