Canada Travel Freeze is Choking US Tourism, as Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Seattle, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, and Other Major Cities Face Massive Declines for Eleven Consecutive Months: What You Must Know

Canada’s Travel Freeze is Choking US Tourism, as cities like Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Seattle, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, and other major cities face massive declines for eleven consecutive months due to political tensions, a strong U.S. dollar, and economic factors.. The ongoing decline in Canadian visitors to the U.S. has significantly impacted key tourism destinations, with cities that historically rely on Canadian tourism seeing sharp drops in both hotel bookings and retail spending. Factors such as political tensions, trade disputes, and a strong U.S. dollar have made U.S. travel less appealing for Canadians, resulting in a ripple effect on local economies. As the trend continues, these cities are grappling with an urgent need to adjust their strategies, from marketing campaigns to exploring new ways to attract international visitors. Here’s what you need to know about the long-lasting impact of this travel freeze.

Decline in Canadian Tourism to the US in 2025

In 2025, Canadian tourism to the United States has experienced a significant decline, with a total drop of over 26% in Canadian-resident return trips by October compared to the same period in 2024. According to Statistics Canada, this downturn is attributed to a combination of political tensions, trade disputes (including U.S. tariffs), and a stronger U.S. dollar. The most noticeable declines were seen in land travel, particularly by automobile, and air travel. Below is a breakdown of the monthly year-over-year (YoY) percentage decline in Canadian-resident return trips:

Month (2025)	Total Trips YoY Decline	Notable Details
January	-2.3%	Initial slight softening in travel.
February	-5.0%	Continued mild decline; some regions reported a slight dip in air travel.
March	-26.0% (land)	Significant drop in overnight land travel (-26%) and air (-14%).
April	Data starting to plummet	Tensions escalated; Florida reported a “plummeting” number of visitors.
May	-31.9%	Sharpest drop to date; automobile trips down significantly.
June	-28.7%	First time since 2006 (excluding COVID) that more Americans visited Canada than vice-versa.
July	-32.4%	Summer peak decline; automobile trips fell by 35.8%.
August	-29.7%	Continued trend; more Americans entered Canada than Canadians entered the U.S.
September	-30.9%	Combined automobile (-34.8%) and air (-27.1%) declines.
October	-26.3%	Automobile travel remained down by 30.2%.
November	-24.5%	Continued decline, although less severe than summer months.

Florida’s Sunshine Fade: Canadians Avoid the Heat in 2025

Fort Lauderdale: A 32% Drop in Hotel Stays

Fort Lauderdale, one of Florida’s most popular tourist destinations for Canadians, has experienced a 32% drop in hotel stays by mid-2025. The city’s hospitality industry is facing a tough year, as fewer Canadians book hotels and flights due to rising costs and the stronger U.S. dollar.

Palm Beach & Boca Raton: Decline in Canadian Snowbirds

Palm Beach and Boca Raton have historically seen an influx of Canadian snowbirds during the winter months, but in 2025, real estate inquiries dropped sharply. Canadians, once eager to purchase vacation homes in these regions, are opting for more affordable destinations like Mexico and Europe.

West Palm Beach & Fort Myers: Cold Winds in Sunny Florida

In West Palm Beach and Fort Myers, areas once full of Canadian tourists, the region has witnessed a sharp decline in visitors. Tourism numbers dropped significantly, particularly in the real estate market, as fewer Canadians sought winter homes. The economic impact has been felt widely in both vacation rentals and tourism-dependent sectors.

Nevada: Las Vegas Hits a Slump with Declining Canadian Visits

Las Vegas: 18% Drop in Canadian Visitors

Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the world, has seen an 18% decline in Canadian tourists in 2025. The city’s hotel bookings and flight arrivals have dropped as fewer Canadians make their way to Sin City, with the strong U.S. dollar making it harder for many to afford the usual luxury experiences.

Western States: From Seattle to Kalispell, Canadian Travel Drops Off

Seattle: 30% Decline in Ferry Ridership

Seattle has seen a major reduction in Canadian tourist numbers, particularly with a 30% decline in the Seattle-Vancouver Island ferry service. This has severely impacted local businesses along the waterfront and in downtown Seattle, which rely on Canadian visitors for shopping and dining.

Spokane & Kalispell: Drops in Spending and Travel

Both Spokane, Washington, and Kalispell, Montana, have experienced significant drops in Canadian visitor spending. In Kalispell, credit card spending from Canadians fell by 39%, while Spokane saw its retail sales fall sharply. Both cities are experiencing a reduction in tourism, particularly from snowbirds looking for winter escapes.

Whitefish: Declining Numbers at Montana’s Ski Resorts

Whitefish, known for its proximity to Glacier National Park, has seen a significant reduction in Canadian skier visits, contributing to a downturn in both hotel occupancy rates and retail sales. This trend has been particularly tough on businesses that typically rely on Canadian tourists to fill ski resort rooms.

New England: A Drop in Canadian Foot Traffic and Hotel Stays

North Conway: Empty Rooms in the White Mountains

In North Conway, New Hampshire, a traditionally busy area for Canadian tourists, hotel occupancy rates have plummeted by 30% during the summer weekends. The drop in Canadian visitors has caused a ripple effect, especially in the local tourism industry, where many businesses rely on cross-border tourism.

Old Orchard Beach: Half the Visitors, Half the Sales

Old Orchard Beach, a popular Maine destination for Canadians, has reported a 50% drop in Canadian customers, particularly during the summer months. This has caused local businesses to rethink their strategies, as fewer Canadians come for beach vacations and tourism activities.

Jay Peak: Ski Resorts Feel the Absence of Snowbirds

Jay Peak, a ski resort in Vermont, has also been affected by the decline in Canadian visitors. The resort, which traditionally sees a large number of Canadian skiers, has had to adjust to a reduction in guest numbers and spending in its retail stores and accommodations.

Arizona & California: Sunbelt States Suffer Major Declines

Arizona: Bookings Down Over 70%

Arizona has taken a significant hit, particularly in areas popular with Canadian snowbirds. Bookings from Canada for the spring and summer periods were reportedly down over 70%, severely impacting the real estate and hospitality sectors that depend on Canadian visitors for revenue.

California: Declines Hit the Golden State

California, including Los Angeles and San Diego, has seen noticeable declines in Canadian tourists. Hotel stays, particularly in coastal and urban regions, have been significantly impacted, as Canadian travelers seek more affordable options closer to home. Attractions in cities like Los Angeles and San Diego, which normally draw a large number of Canadians, have experienced decreased attendance.

Border States: Sharp Declines in Cross-Border Traffic

Buffalo-Niagara Falls Area: Struggling with a 30% Drop in Visitors

The Buffalo-Niagara Falls area has long been a popular destination for Canadian tourists, but in 2025, the region saw a 30% drop in cross-border traffic. Retailers in the area reported a staggering 83% decrease in Canadian shoppers. With fewer visitors from Canada, local businesses, particularly in retail and tourism, are struggling to make up for the loss in revenue.

North Country NY: Border Communities Feel the Heat

In North Country NY, which includes cities like Plattsburgh and Massena, the drop in Canadian tourists has been severe. Road traffic to these areas has declined by up to 50%, and businesses are reporting a huge slump in sales, especially in tourist-focused retail.

Blaine & Bellingham: Declining Canadian Presence in the Pacific Northwest

The Blaine and Bellingham areas in Washington state have felt the effects of the downturn, seeing noticeable drops in cross-border traffic. With fewer Canadian visitors heading south for shopping and tourism, these cities have seen significant reductions in both local business revenue and gas station sales, further impacting the economy.

Fargo-Moorhead: Hit Hard by Drop in Cross-Border Shopping

The Fargo-Moorhead area, a key point for Canadians traveling into the U.S., has reported a dramatic decrease in both Canadian visitors and spending. Local businesses dependent on Canadian shoppers have seen declines of up to 40%, with restaurants and retail outlets struggling to make ends meet.

Key Contributing Factors to Decline in Canadian Tourism to the U.S. in 2025

The decline in Canadian tourism across these major U.S. cities and regions reflects a broader trend of reduced cross-border travel in 2025. Factors such as political tensions, economic difficulties, and the strong U.S. dollar have all contributed to the decline, with many of the hardest-hit areas relying heavily on Canadian visitors for their economies. As the travel industry continues to adapt, the absence of these once-reliable tourists is proving to be a significant challenge for businesses across the U.S.

Political Environment: Around 60% of Canadians cited the general political situation in the U.S. as a major reason for avoiding travel.

Economic Tensions: Retaliation and boycotts stemming from U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods and political rhetoric, such as referring to Canada as a “51st state,” significantly discouraged travel.

Exchange Rates: The high cost of travel due to a strong U.S. dollar and U.S. inflation led many Canadians to opt for domestic vacations or cheaper overseas alternatives like Mexico or Europe.

Loss of the “Snowbird” Market: Only 10% of Canadian baby boomers planned U.S. trips in 2025, down from 66% the previous year.

For more detailed breakdowns, you can access interactive data through the Statistics Canada Frontier Counts Dashboard or the official Destination Canada reports.

Statistics on Destination Shifts in 2025

In 2025, Canadian tourism to the U.S. faced significant setbacks. According to survey data from mid-2025, 19–20% of Canadians explicitly cancelled or delayed all U.S. travel plans. Spending also saw a sharp decline, with Canadian credit card spending in states like Vermont down by 49% year-over-year by September. The impact was particularly pronounced in early 2025, when only 15% of Canadians were planning trips to the U.S.—a record low. In response, popular destinations like California and New York launched urgent, heartfelt marketing campaigns aimed at rebuilding visitor interest and attracting Canadian travelers back.

Canada’s Travel Freeze is Choking US Tourism, as cities like Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Seattle, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, and other major cities face massive declines for eleven consecutive months due to political tensions, a strong U.S. dollar, and economic factors.

Conclusion

Canada’s travel freeze has significantly hammered US tourism, with cities like Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Seattle, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, and other major cities facing severe travel setbacks for eleven consecutive months in 2025. The decline is driven by a mix of political tensions, economic factors, and a stronger U.S. dollar, which have led many Canadians to reconsider or delay their travel plans. As a result, these iconic destinations are working hard to recover from the extended downturn by launching targeted marketing campaigns and offering incentives to attract Canadian visitors back. The long-term impact of this downturn remains to be seen, but U.S. tourism, especially in these cities, is undoubtedly facing a challenging period ahead.

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