For 25 years, Rosalie Cote and her family spent their summers soaking up the sun in Maine. But this year? They’re staying put in Canada, joining a growing wave of Canadians boycotting U.S. travel in response to Donald Trump’s renewed threats of annexation and trade tariffs.
“We don’t want to support the United States. It’s a matter of principle,” Cote said firmly.
Canadians have long been a driving force in the U.S. tourism industry, making 20.4 million trips south of the border last year and contributing over $20 billion to the American economy. But with Trump back in office, that steady flow of Canadian visitors is drying up fast. According to a recent Abacus Data survey, 56% of Canadians have either changed or outright canceled their U.S. travel plans.
Romane Gauvreau is one of them. She scrapped both a mountain biking trip to Vermont and a family getaway to Maine.
“We don’t want to go to a place where democracy is in danger, where people suffer great injustices, and where people are being deported,” she told AFP.
This sentiment is rippling through the travel industry. Flight Centre Canada reported a staggering 40% drop in February bookings to U.S. destinations compared to last year, with one in five pre-existing reservations being canceled.
And it’s not just vacationers. The so-called “snowbirds” — retired Canadians who typically flee the harsh winters for sunny U.S. states like Florida — are rethinking their seasonal migration. Andre Laurent, a longtime Florida homeowner, has decided to sell his property and leave the U.S. for good.
“Everything has changed. It’s become unpleasant. I no longer felt welcome, and I even felt like I was betraying my country,” he explained.
Laurent isn’t alone. Five of the six Canadians in his Florida gated community have also chosen to leave permanently.
The ‘Choose Canada’ Movement Gains Momentum
The backlash has fueled a patriotic travel movement within Canada. Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had already encouraged Canadians to explore their own country instead of heading south, and now travel agencies are capitalizing on the sentiment.
Social media is buzzing with “Choose Canada” campaigns, spotlighting breathtaking destinations like the Rocky Mountains, Prince Edward Island, and the vibrant cities of Montreal and Vancouver. Travel agencies like Nuance du Monde have stopped promoting U.S. trips altogether.
“We’re boycotting them in light of the current situation,” said Samy Hammadache, the company’s director, adding that the impact on U.S. tourism could be significant.
The travel industry is already pivoting. Canadian airline Flair Airlines has responded to plummeting demand for U.S. flights by increasing service to Mexico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic.
“These decisions are based on market needs and demand,” explained Kim Bowie, the airline’s director of communications.
Tourism expert Michel Archambault predicts a record-breaking year for domestic travel in Canada. A Leger survey found that six in 10 Canadians plan to vacation within their own borders — a major shift from previous years.
A weaker Canadian dollar has also made U.S. travel less appealing, but for many, it’s not just about economics.
For Cote, skipping Maine isn’t about exchange rates — it’s about taking a stand.
“We must spend money at home rather than with our neighbors who play dirty tricks on us,” she said.
With more Canadians choosing national pride over international travel, the economic ripples are just beginning to be felt south of the border.
