In 2025, Canadians significantly reduced their travel expenditures to the United States, spending $3.3 billion less than in the previous year. This decline, from $22.1 billion in 2024 to $18.8 billion in 2025, underscores a notable change in travel habits amid ongoing political and trade tensions between the two countries. Instead, Canadians opted to increase their spending on destinations outside the U.S., with international travel reaching $22.8 billion, an increase of $3.6 billion.
Alternative international destinations saw a surge in Canadian visitors. Travel to Europe experienced a nearly 14% increase, while visits to Asia rose by almost 17%. These figures suggest that a substantial number of Canadians are seeking new horizons beyond their southern neighbor, choosing to explore different parts of the world.
The decline in travel to the United States was also evident in the reduced border traffic throughout 2025. Both road and air return trips from the U.S. to Canada decreased by about 25% compared to the previous year. The most significant drop occurred in July, with border crossings plummeting by roughly one-third, marking the steepest monthly decline.
This trend of reduced travel to the U.S. has persisted into 2026, with the volume of trips remaining well below previous levels. Officials have pointed to these figures as evidence of a lasting shift in Canadian travel behavior, steering away from the United States in favor of other international destinations.