News Summary
Travel from Canada to the United States has sharply decreased, with a recent survey indicating that 60% of Canadians are less likely to visit due to dissatisfaction with U.S. policies. Airports in Southern California report substantial drops in Canadian visitors, with Los Angeles International Airport experiencing over a 25% decline. Factors contributing to this trend include economic tariffs and growing political discontent, leading to an estimated $21 billion loss in travel-related exports for the U.S. as Canadians opt for domestic vacations or alternative destinations.
Irvine, California – Travel from Canada to the United States has significantly declined this year, driven by growing discontent with U.S. policies and the political climate, resulting in a noticeable decrease in Canadian visitors across several key airports in Southern California.
A recent survey conducted by Longwoods International revealed that 60% of Canadians are now less likely to travel to the U.S. due to various political statements and policies from the current U.S. administration. This sentiment is reflected in the travel statistics for international airports, with reports indicating a more than 25% decrease in Canadian travelers passing through Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
In June, John Wayne Airport experienced a nearly 20% drop in international passenger traffic. This decline has continued into July, with Doug Webster, LAX’s chief of operations, reporting a 27% decrease in Canadian passengers, equating to approximately 70,000 fewer travelers compared to the same month last year.
Statistics indicated that LAX served 185,000 Canadian travelers in July 2025, a steep decline from 254,000 in July 2024. Meanwhile, both Air Canada and WestJet have acknowledged falling passenger numbers and reduced flight schedules between Canada and Southern California. The reduced travel has been coupled with overall declines in Canadian connections, with passenger volume on Air Canada and WestJet dropping by 19% and nearly 45% respectively, in May.
Travel to the U.S. is not only diminishing for leisure travelers but also showing concerning trends across various forms of transport. Year-to-date, travel from Canada to the U.S. has decreased by 25.2%, alongside a staggering 37% decline in car travel observed in July, according to data from Tourism Economics.
Travel agencies report that many Canadians are shifting their vacation plans to domestic destinations or opting for alternatives like Mexico and the Caribbean, indicating that dissatisfaction with U.S. policies is significantly influencing travel behavior. The implications of this trend are stark: experts estimate that the ongoing decline in Canadian visits could lead to an estimated $21 billion loss in travel-related exports for the U.S.
Notably, 80% of Canadian travelers indicated that U.S. tariffs and economic policies are significant deterrents to travel, with increasing negative sentiment arising from comments made by U.S. political leaders. The decline in Canadian visitors is part of a larger trend, as the U.S. has also seen drops in travelers from Western Europe and Asia. In contrast, American travelers to Canada have decreased at a lesser rate.
Despite the overall downturn, Florida reported 34.4 million visitors in Q2 2025, marking a 5% increase from the previous year, though these numbers are paralleled by a significant 20% drop in Canadian visitors. This disparity highlights the shifting dynamics of international tourism.
Cities such as Seattle and Portland, heavily reliant on Canadian tourism, are bracing for economic impacts stemming from reduced travel. As local businesses and tourist services rely on cross-border traffic, the anticipated decline in visitors poses a risk during peak travel seasons.
Looking ahead, projections indicate a shift in international visitation trends, forecasting an 8.2% decline in visitors to the U.S. This marks a substantial change from earlier expectations of a 9% increase, primarily driven by geopolitical tensions and new visa fees that could further deter potential travelers.
As these factors reshape travel behavior, many Canadians are likely to continue searching for more hospitable and stable destinations beyond the U.S., marking a significant change in cross-border tourism.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Livestream Event on Healthy Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease
California Businesses Brace for Economic Impact from Trade War
California Tourism Sector Faces Minimum Wage Debate Amid Declines
California Economic Challenges Amidst Minimum Wage Debate
Additional Resources
- NBC News: Tourist Spots Try to Win Back Canadian Tourists
- Forbes: Canadian Car Visits to U.S. Plunge 37 Percent
- Travel and Tour World: Canadians Sharply Cut Back on U.S. Road Trips and Air Travel
- CNN: International Tourist Decline in United States
- The Travel: U.S. Tourism Decline, Business Visits Increase
- Wikipedia: International Travel
- Google Search: US Tourism Statistics
- Google Scholar: Tourism Decline: Canada and US Travel
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tourism
- Google News: Travel Trends Canada US
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
