Toronto Joins Calgary, Vancouver, Montreal, Edmonton, Ottawa, and More in Facing a Significant Decline in US Tourist Arrivals in 2025: Everything You Need to Know

In 2025, Toronto, along with other major Canadian cities like Calgary, Vancouver, Montreal, Edmonton, and Ottawa, is facing a notable decrease in US tourist arrivals. This decline marks a significant shift in tourism patterns, with several factors contributing to the downturn. Labor disruptions at key Canadian airports, such as Toronto Pearson and Montreal Trudeau International, have led to flight cancellations and delays, discouraging U.S. visitors. Additionally, inflation and rising travel costs have made Canada less attractive to many American tourists. Coupled with changing travel preferences, this shift has left Canadian cities grappling with fewer U.S. visitors, impacting local businesses that rely heavily on cross-border tourism.
US Travel Freeze: A Shift in Tourism Dynamics

US travel to Canada has seen a significant decline in 2025, reflecting a major reversal in tourism trends. U.S.-resident air travel to Canada decreased by 3.6%, with 589,700 arrivals by August. Additionally, U.S. residents traveling by automobile to Canada dropped by 4.5%, totaling 1.8 million trips. This decline contrasts with the 4.6% growth in overseas arrivals, indicating a shift in travel preferences. Contributing factors include labor disruptions at key Canadian airports, such as Toronto Pearson and Montreal Trudeau, along with inflationary pressures and changing travel patterns that have deterred U.S. visitors.
Declining US Air Travel to Canada: Contributing Factors

U.S. air travel to Canada exhibited a downward trend throughout 2025, with a total decline of 3.6% in air arrivals by August, totaling 589,700 U.S. visitors. Several factors contributed to this drop, including economic conditions, ongoing labor disruptions at Canadian airports, and shifting travel preferences. These disruptions, particularly at Toronto Pearson and Montreal Trudeau, caused numerous flight cancellations and delays, deterring U.S. tourists. Additionally, inflation and increasing travel costs likely influenced U.S. visitors to reconsider Canada as their destination, contributing to the overall decline in cross-border air travel.
Declining US Road Travel to Canada: Year-Over-Year Decreases

Road travel from the U.S. to Canada has also declined, with a 4.5% drop in trips by August 2025, totaling 1.8 million trips. This marks the seventh consecutive month of year-over-year decreases. Contributing to this decline are factors like economic challenges, rising travel costs, and ongoing disruptions in the travel industry. Earlier in the year, road travel showed a similar pattern, with a general downward trajectory in cross-border trips. Despite a slight surge in daily arrivals during the Labor Day weekend in August, the overall trend remains negative, reflecting a broader decline in U.S. road travel to Canada.
Impact on Canadian Cities: The US Travel Freeze’s Effects
The travel freeze has heavily impacted Canadian cities, particularly major tourism hotspots like Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec City, and Edmonton. Each of these cities has experienced a reduction in U.S. tourists, affecting key businesses and industries that rely on cross-border visitors.
Toronto: A Major Hit to Tourism

US resident air arrivals to Toronto decreased by 3.6%, while road travel from the U.S. dropped by 4.5%, reflecting a significant decline in cross-border tourism. As Canada’s largest city and a major cultural and business hub, Toronto has experienced a marked reduction in U.S. visitors. This has severely impacted local businesses, which heavily rely on American tourists. Attractions such as the CN Tower, Royal Ontario Museum, and Toronto Islands, alongside a bustling restaurant and theater scene, have seen fewer patrons. With a drop in the number of visitors from the U.S., restaurants, hotels, and cultural institutions are feeling the economic strain, highlighting the city’s dependence on cross-border tourism.
Calgary: Struggling with Reduced U.S. Tourism

US air travel to Calgary decreased by 4.3%, while road travel from the U.S. dropped by 4.7%, showing a clear reduction in tourism from the U.S. Calgary, known for its proximity to the Rocky Mountains and Banff National Park, has witnessed a noticeable reduction in visitors. The downturn in U.S. arrivals has led to a decline in hotel bookings, local tours, and overall spending in the area. As fewer U.S. tourists make the trip to Calgary and its renowned outdoor destinations, the city’s hospitality industry faces growing challenges, particularly during peak seasons.
Vancouver: A Decline in U.S. Visitors Dampens the Tourism Industry

US resident air travel to Vancouver dropped by 3.8%, and road travel decreased by 5.1%, demonstrating a significant downturn in US tourism. Vancouver, a West Coast city famed for its outdoor activities, diverse culture, and stunning scenery, has been significantly impacted by the drop in U.S. tourists. The city’s outdoor attractions, such as Stanley Park, Grouse Mountain, and Granville Island, are popular with American visitors, but these spots have seen a noticeable decrease in foot traffic. As fewer U.S. travelers explore Vancouver’s natural beauty and cultural landmarks, local businesses that depend on tourism are grappling with reduced revenue.
Montreal: Cultural Tourism Faces Challenges

US air travel to Montreal dropped by 4.2%, and road travel decreased by 5.3%, impacting the city’s tourism sector. Montreal, a city renowned for its French heritage, vibrant festivals, and world-class cultural offerings, has also experienced a decline in U.S. tourism. The Montreal International Jazz Festival and other high-profile cultural events that typically attract large numbers of American tourists have seen fewer visitors. The U.S. travel freeze has resulted in financial losses for local businesses, including restaurants, hotels, and shops, that depend on cross-border tourism.
Ottawa: US Visitors Staying Away from the Capital

Ottawa saw a 3.9% decrease in U.S. resident air arrivals, with road travel from the U.S. dropping by 4.6%. As the capital of Canada, Ottawa has seen a notable reduction in U.S. tourists, directly impacting its tourism-driven economy. Popular attractions such as Parliament Hill, the National Gallery of Canada, and the Canadian Museum of History, which typically draw large numbers of American visitors, have experienced fewer crowds. The U.S. travel freeze has disrupted various tourism-related activities in Ottawa, from school trips to business conferences, resulting in financial difficulties for businesses relying on this segment of tourism.
Quebec City: A Drop in US Visitors Affects Historic Charm

US tourism to Quebec City dropped by 4.5%, with road travel from the U.S. seeing a 5.2% decrease. Quebec City, with its European-style charm and rich history, has also seen a significant decline in U.S. visitors, particularly during peak tourist seasons. Known for its iconic Château Frontenac and the cobblestone streets of Old Quebec, the city has long been a favorite destination for American tourists seeking a taste of European culture. However, the drop in cross-border tourism has led to fewer visitors exploring its historic sites and attending local cultural festivals.
Edmonton: A Decrease in U.S. Visitors Impacts Attractions

In August 2025, Edmonton saw a 4.7% decline in U.S. road travel, and air arrivals from the U.S. were down by 3.8%. Edmonton, known for its large shopping malls, proximity to Jasper National Park, and annual events like the Edmonton Folk Music Festival, has also felt the effects of the U.S. travel freeze. The decline in U.S. tourists has led to a reduction in foot traffic at local attractions, shopping centers, and cultural events. With fewer Americans visiting the city, businesses in the tourism sector are facing challenges, particularly those reliant on international visitors for events and local tourism.
US air arrivals to Toronto are down 3.6%, and road travel is down 4.5% in 2025. Toronto joins Calgary, Vancouver, Montreal, Edmonton, and Ottawa in facing a significant decline, driven by labor disruptions, inflation, and shifting travel habits.
Conclusion: The Impact of the US Travel Freeze on Canadian Cities
In 2025, Toronto, along with Calgary, Vancouver, Montreal, Edmonton, Ottawa, and more, faces a significant decline in U.S. tourist arrivals. The drop in U.S. air and road travel highlights the broader trend affecting major Canadian cities. Contributing factors include labor disruptions at airports, rising inflation, and shifting travel habits, all of which have deterred U.S. visitors. As these cities adapt to the changing landscape, they will need to explore new strategies to attract tourists and recover from the decline in cross-border tourism.
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