Canadian boycott of US travel persists amid tensions with Trump

Canadians are continuing to avoid travel to the United States, with political tensions under President Donald Trump, tariffs and his comments about Canada contributing to a sustained decline in cross-border tourism.

Kent Truscott, from London, Ontario, is among those who have stopped travelling to the US. Before Trump’s re-election, he and his family regularly visited the country, including California and New York. But in late 2024, they decided to boycott the US, BBC writes.

The family cancelled a planned trip to Texas to watch a SpaceX launch and instead spent their holiday exploring Canada’s Atlantic provinces.

"There has been a fundamental break," Truscott said, pointing to Trump’s policies and rhetoric toward Canada. "As much as I would like to say that when Donald Trump leaves everything will go back to normal, well, 70 million people voted for it."

National data show Canadians made 800,000 fewer trips to the US in April than in the same month of 2024. The decline has contributed to an estimated C$3.3 billion ($2.35 billion) loss in US travel revenue over the past year, with Canadians spending more on domestic or overseas trips instead.

US destinations have responded with promotions aimed at bringing Canadian visitors back. New York City’s tourism board, for example, announced discounts of 30% on Broadway tickets and hotel rooms for Canadian tourists in July.

For some Canadians, the boycott is also driven by the weaker Canadian dollar and the rising cost of travelling in the US. Others say the political relationship has become the main issue.

Lynda Rousseau and her husband, who lived in Texas for 19 years, returned to Canada earlier than planned after Trump’s re-election. They later cancelled a cruise departing from New York and instead travelled from Rome to Barcelona.

"I mean it's not New York's fault... but Trump is in charge of it all, and so it all takes a hit," Rousseau said.

Nick Smith, a retiree from Vancouver, has also stopped travelling to the US. He has instead taken trips to Mexico and Morocco and now avoids even connecting through American airports.

"I would need to see some sense of reconciliation [with Canada]... actions that would show a return back to amicable relations," he said.

For Christie Mitchell, a British Columbia resident who has travelled extensively across the US, the change has been particularly difficult.

"It breaks my heart, because I love Americans and I love America."

Instead of travelling to Las Vegas for her 50th birthday, Mitchell hiked the Camino Francés in Spain. She said she would consider returning to the US if relations with Canada improved and the political leadership changed.

By Sabina Mammadli