US tourism courts Canadian travellers as trade tensions persist
American tourism bodies are trying to lure Canadian visitors back with discounts and campaigns, even as trade disputes and political tensions keep many travellers away.
American tourism officials are pulling out all the stops to win back Canadian visitors, launching promotional campaigns and special offers even as a bitter trade dispute between the two countries shows no sign of cooling.
New York state has rolled out a campaign offering discounts at hotels, restaurants and attractions, while some Las Vegas hotels are accepting Canadian dollars at par with the US dollar. Tourism officials from Las Vegas recently travelled to Canada to meet travel advisers and operators.
These efforts come as Canadian travel to the US remains sharply depressed. Statistics Canada reports that Canadian residents made 25% fewer return border crossings in 2025 compared to the previous year, with spending on US travel dropping by about $2.4 billion. The decline has been attributed to a consumer-led backlash following political tensions and the imposition of tariffs.
There were tentative signs of recovery in May, June and July, when border crossings picked up slightly. The uptick coincided with the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, which gave some Canadians a reason to travel south. However, air travel to the US continued to fall from year-earlier levels through June.
Just days after the World Cup ended, new US tariffs on Canadian goods were announced, threatening to reverse any goodwill generated by the tournament. Industry observers describe the situation as "one step forward and two steps back."
For many Canadian travellers, the decision to stay away is personal. One Vancouver resident said his family has not visited the US since the current administration took office and will not do so until there is a new president. A Calgary resident echoed this sentiment, saying the latest round of tariffs reinforced her decision to avoid the US entirely while the current government remains in power.
The coming winter months will be a key test, as large numbers of Canadian "snowbirds" typically head to warm-weather destinations in Florida, Arizona and California. Some tourism officials in these regions remain optimistic, expressing confidence that their welcoming message will resonate with Canadian families.