Canada is welcoming back American tourists with open arms, but ongoing travel boycotts continue to impact cross-border travel trends

Posted on November 1, 2025

Canada extends a warm invitation to American tourists, signaling a shift toward reconciliation and improved diplomatic relations. After years of political tension and controversial statements, many Canadians are eager to welcome back American visitors, offering gestures of goodwill and hospitality. However, despite these efforts, the travel boycott that began in response to the strained relationship between the United States and Canada continues to impact travel patterns. Many Canadians remain reluctant to travel south, and this reluctance is reflected in the continuing decline in Canadian visits to the United States. While American tourists are slowly returning to Canada, the effects of the boycott remain, shaping the future of cross-border tourism and making it clear that full reconciliation between the two countries may take more time.

Canada extends its hand: a warm invitation to American tourists

Despite political differences, Canada’s tourism industry is sending a clear message: Americans are welcome. National tourism body Destination Canada recently hosted the GoMedia Canada 2025 Summit, where tourism representatives from across the country emphasized that Canadians are eager to move beyond political differences and invite American travelers back.

In Quebec, tourism campaigns specifically targeting Americans are becoming more common, focusing on rebuilding the relationship and demonstrating the welcoming nature of Canadians. While such campaigns initially received mixed responses, as tensions between the two countries remained high, the passage of time appears to have softened the tone. The Canadians appear ready to extend an olive branch.

American travelers are reluctant to return

While Canada is eager for reconciliation, many American travelers remain unsure about visiting. For some, the fear of negative judgment due to the political climate in their country remains an obstacle. The perception of not being welcome in Canada continues to influence their travel decisions, with some even resorting to pretending to be Canadian while abroad.

US public relations agencies report that concern about negative perceptions of Canada remains one of the top barriers preventing Americans from visiting. Despite reassurances from Canadian tourism boards, many Americans remain hesitant to return, unsure how Canadians will receive them.

Numbers: Mixed travel directions

The latest statistics provide a glimpse into the current state of travel between the two countries. According to Statistics Canada, US visits to Canada showed a slight decline in the summer of 2025, continuing the trend of previous months. However, the number of American visitors has exceeded the number of Canadian visitors to the United States for the first time since 2006. This suggests that despite persistent concerns, some American tourists are heeding Canada’s call and returning.

On the other hand, Canadian visits to the United States continue to decline. In September 2025, the number of Canadians traveling south fell by 35% compared to the previous year. The continued reluctance among Canadians to visit the United States suggests that while Canada may be willing to tolerate, some Canadians are not yet ready to fully embrace the idea of ​​traveling south.

Snowbirds and domestic travel: a different story

While most Canadians remain hesitant to visit the United States, the snowbird community continues to make its way south to states like Florida and Arizona to spend the winter months. These travelers have long-standing relationships with the United States and are less affected by political tensions. As a result, Canadian snowbirds remain an important part of the U.S. tourism economy, even as the broader Canadian public continues to boycott cross-border travel.

At the same time, domestic tourism within Canada is on the rise. Spurred by political tensions and government encouragement, Canadians are choosing to explore their country more than ever before. In 2025, domestic travel rose by more than 10%, with provinces such as Quebec, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland seeing notable increases in tourist visits. This trend reflects a shift toward supporting local economies and choosing Canadian destinations over U.S. vacations.

Financial Impact: Who Loses More?

The decline in cross-border travel has had significant financial consequences for both countries. According to the U.S. Travel Association, a decline in Canadian visitors is expected to contribute to a 3.2% decline in inbound U.S. tourism in 2025. Canada, the largest source of international visitors to the United States, accounted for $20.5 billion in tourism revenue in 2024.

In contrast, Americans will contribute about $11 billion to Canada’s tourism sector in 2024, making the United States the largest overseas market for Canadian tourism. While both countries stand to lose from declining tourism, Canada’s dependence on American visitors makes the situation particularly dangerous for the tourism industry.

Looking to the future: Will travel habits return to normal?

As the political landscape between the United States and Canada evolves, the question remains whether these shifts in sentiment will lead to an increase in travel. While Canada is making efforts to rebuild the bridges, many American tourists are still hesitant to visit. On the Canadian side, reluctance to travel to the United States persists, as many Canadians are not yet ready to fully forgive and forget.

Over the coming months, we will see whether these changing attitudes translate into an uptick in cross-border tourism. Will Americans accept Canada’s offer of reconciliation, and will Canadians soften their position on traveling to the United States? Time will tell whether these shifts in sentiment will lead to a full return of tourism between the two countries.