Brand USA Launches 1st Canada Travel Week as Canadian US Travel Spending Falls $2.4 Billion
Updated
Updated · The Independent · Sep 6
Brand USA Launches 1st Canada Travel Week as Canadian US Travel Spending Falls $2.4 Billion
3 articles · Updated · The Independent · Sep 6
Summary
Brand USA will bring its Travel Week trade event to Canada for the first time in October, expanding a previous program as U.S. tourism groups intensify efforts to win back Canadian visitors.
Canadian residents made 25% fewer return border crossings and spent about $2.4 billion less on U.S. travel in 2025 than in 2024, after Trump's return, 51st-state remarks and the widening trade war fueled an informal boycott.
Travel showed only a modest summer rebound: border crossings rose slightly in May through July, helped by the 2026 World Cup, but air travel to the U.S. remained below year-earlier levels through June and overnight visits fell further in first-half 2026.
Fresh tariffs on $20 billion of Canadian goods announced just after the World Cup have renewed pressure ahead of snowbird season, a key test for destinations such as Florida, Arizona and California that rely heavily on Canadian visitors.
State and local campaigns from New York to Las Vegas are offering discounts and exchange-rate perks, but some Canadians say they will avoid U.S. trips entirely while Trump remains in office.