Toronto, August 8, 2025 — As trade tensions between Canada and the United States escalate, more Canadians are turning their backs on once-popular destinations like Las Vegas, Florida, and California — choosing instead to travel abroad to countries where they feel more welcomed, safe, and economically valued.
For Edmonton’s Kelly Bergquist, the decision to boycott U.S. travel is personal. “I just don’t really want to support them right now,” she said, referring to the U.S. decision to double tariffs on Canadian goods. A frequent visitor to the States, she’s now planning future trips to Mexico and the Balkans, passing up options like Mississippi River cruises or U.S.-based vacations.
Her sentiment is echoed by thousands of Canadians. According to new data from Flight Centre Canada, travel spending by Canadians between May and July this year jumped dramatically in a number of non-U.S. international destinations:
- Buenos Aires, Argentina: up 148%
- Osaka, Japan: up 137%
- Copenhagen, Denmark: up 112%
- Curaçao: up 101%
- Aruba and Lisbon also saw sharp rises, at 71% and 61% respectively.
The trend reflects more than just political frustration. For many Canadians, it’s also about safety, value, and a warm welcome. Joan Allison from Windsor, Ont., who once spent winters in Fort Myers Beach, Florida, said the change in U.S. politics — including President Trump’s pardons of Jan. 6 insurrectionists — has left her disillusioned.
“The threats to our economy are massive.… I have no desire to spend any money in the United States,” said Allison, who is now planning a trip to Portugal.
Tourism Data Backs the Shift
Countries are noticing. Japan reported 335,400 Canadian visitors from January to June — a 23% increase from the same period in 2024. Brazil saw a 12.9% bump, while Portugal experienced 6.5% growth in Canadian tourist numbers.
Andrew Stafford, a manager at Flight Centre in Vancouver, said the trade war and political climate are directly influencing traveller decisions. “People are still travelling at the same rate they were,” he noted. “They’re just choosing different destinations.”
Even resorts in Mexico are benefiting. Salvador Ramos, VP of Sales and Marketing at Canadian-owned Marival Group, said his company saw a 5–6% increase in Canadian guests, amounting to about 15,000 more travellers this year. They’re now investing more in digital advertising and promotions targeting Canadian cities from coast to coast.
Tourism Experts Say It May Be Long-Term
According to Wayne Smith, director at Toronto Metropolitan University’s Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Research, Canadians are sending a clear message. “We’re seeing that Canadians are changing their travel patterns to go to places where they feel comfortable and welcome,” he said.
He also warns this may not be a temporary trend. With high costs in U.S. cities and ongoing political friction, Canadians are increasingly drawn to places that offer both value and stability.
“You add in the socio-political stuff,” Smith said, “then things like immigration permits and dealing with border security — this is probably not going to be a short-term pattern for the U.S.”
As the dispute between Ottawa and Washington continues, Canada’s travellers are sending a powerful message: they’re voting with their passports.