A tariff war initiated by the U.S. against Canada has led to some Canadians cancelling their U.S. trips and spending their tourist dollars elsewhere.
The reality of 25 per cent tariffs might be on hold, but reactions have been swift, with many Canadians scrapping vacation plans south of the border. U.S. President Donald Trump’s “51st state” comments have also left a bad taste in Canadians’ mouths.
The potential impact of fewer Canadian tourists had the U.S. Travel Association sounding the alarm, stating that even a 10 per cent decrease in Canadians visiting could result in $2.1 billion USD lost in spending and 14,000 job losses.
Amra Durakovic, head of communications for Flight Centre Travel Group Canada, has witnessed the immediate reaction in person as she’s seeing Canadians “increasingly pivoting away” from their U.S. vacations.
Since November, an already weakened loonie has made travel to the U.S. more expensive. Donald Trump’s threat to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian products has pushed travellers to spend their money elsewhere.
“It’s really highlighting our power of values-driven decisions to, in a quiet way, protest the U.S. administration’s 25 per cent tariffs. It’s a powerful message,” she said.
We asked our readers to contact us if they’ve changed their U.S. travel plans based on the tariff threats against Canada.
The response was overwhelming. Several respondents not only altered their plans but went out of their way to do so, paying hefty fees to reschedule or cancel.
“My [American] friends and family can come visit us here”
Peterborough, Ontario resident Don is a retired school teacher and former university football player. For the past 10 years, he and his friends have been travelling to the U.S. to visit Las Vegas and attend university football games.
Due to potential tariffs against Canada, his vacation plans this year will look different.
“We chose Calgary because it’s Canadian, and because of the current situation, we were not happy and decided to spend money in our own country — we’re all skiers or snowboarders,” he said. “I’m totally disgusted by how the U.S. has treated Canadians, picking fights with a close ally and partner.”
Surrey, B.C. resident Aparna Ramesh shares the same sentiments.
Ramesh, 46, works as a project manager in healthcare and runs a yoga school called Still Within School of Yoga. Along with her family, she had planned to travel to Texas, Virginia and New York for spring break, a trip that would have cost them around $6,000.
A former New York resident, she and her family travel to the U.S. frequently to visit friends. Now, she said they’re travelling to Montreal or Nova Scotia and are considering other international destinations.
BC resident Aparna Ramesh with her partner Anand, daughter Siya and son Vishnu (Supplied)
When asked what would make her travel to the U.S. again, she said, “Trump needs to be out of the office, for starters. It would also help if the loonie became stronger. In the meantime, my friends and family can come visit us here, where they can see what a country that values care and diversity can feel like.”
Cancellation fees? “Money well spent”
Graumom*, 45, is a healthcare worker from Halifax, Nova Scotia. She and her family had planned a five-day trip to Massachusetts “even with the weak Canadian dollar.”
“We have been looking at cruises instead but will not consider one that starts, visits or ends in the U.S.,” she stated. Luckily, they didn’t have to pay fees as they cancelled bookings before charges were applied.
Other Canadians weren’t as fortunate.
Jane*, 71, is a retiree who lives in Ontario. She had been looking forward to visiting friends and exploring the wetlands of Georgia. She has since cancelled her trip, which cost her $748.
“In the end, I got credit from the airline, but I’ll never use it,” she said. “I don’t intend to visit the U.S. again — a very small price to pay to avoid venturing into the Trump-Musk world. Many I know cancelled far more expensive trips.”
Similarly, Montreal resident Justa* cancelled a two-week $12,000 trip to San Francisco, Monterrey and Big Sur.
“It cost us $600 to cancel, but money well spent. We are going to London, England instead,” he shared. “All the Canadians we know are very angry and I am expecting that the Canadian tourism reduction to the U.S. will be far greater than 10 per cent.”
Amid tariffs, explore Canada instead
Craig Heinrich, 38, is a forestry technician who lives in Hornepayne, Ontario. His family of six had planned a big trip to California this year, but they’ve since changed their plans.
“We plan to take the Via Rail train across the country to Edmonton. There, we’ll spend a night or two and visit the big West Edmonton Mall,” he shared. “From there, we will rent a van and drive to Drumheller, Alberta to see the dinosaur museum and hike around the Badlands.”
Their upcoming Alberta trip will cost them around $14,000 — similar to what they had planned to spend in California.
When asked how the government can encourage Canadians to travel domestically, he said, “I think a modest tax credit would certainly help.”
Ontario resident Craig Heinrich with his children (Supplied)
Ramesh also thinks Canadians who want to explore the country deserve more affordable options. “Make the airline industry more competitive to offer better fares to Canadians,” she suggested.
Jane said that airlines should also promote cheaper domestic fares.
“The tax exemption for domestic vacations during the pandemic years was a great idea,” she said. “Better rail connections would help.”
For Graumom, the choice was obvious.
“Trump made cancelling the trip easy,” she said. “Were we disappointed? Absolutely, but I cannot stand by and watch, pretending his actions aren’t going to affect me, my friends, my loved ones and my neighbours.”
*Pseudonyms were used to protect identitie
