Travel
Why Canadian Tourists Are Canceling U.S. Trips and Heading to Mexico Instead
By Jake Beardslee · March 21, 2025
Canadians Rethink Travel and Shopping Amid Escalating U.S. Trade Tensions
As trade tensions between the United States and Canada escalate, many Canadians are changing their travel plans—and their shopping habits. Sparked by President Donald Trump’s aggressive rhetoric and new tariffs, including a 25% duty on Canadian goods, Canadians are turning away from the U.S. in favor of destinations and products that support their national economy. MariaLR / Pixabay
Backlash Grows After Trump Remarks About Canada's Sovereignty
What began as outrage over Trump’s suggestion that Canada become the “51st state,” and his referring to former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as “Governor,” has transformed into a broader movement. Canadian consumers are pushing back hard, with many canceling U.S. travel plans in favor of Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe. Jack Gruber-USA TODAY
U.S. Tourism Suffers as Canadian Travelers Choose Alternative Destinations
Leisure travel from Canada to the United States saw a sharp decline last month, with bookings down 40% compared to February 2024, according to Flight Centre Travel Group Canada. Instead, Canadian travelers are increasingly opting for destinations such as Mexico, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and parts of Europe, spokesperson Amra Durakovic told Barron’s. The downturn has raised concerns south of the border, with the U.S. Travel Association warning that a mere 10% drop in Canadian tourism could translate into 2 million fewer visits, a $2.1 billion hit to spending, and the loss of 14,000 American jobs. Aaron Davis / Wikimedia
Made-in-Canada Apps Help Shoppers Avoid U.S. Products
Meanwhile, grassroots efforts to boycott American goods are gaining momentum. Two popular Canadian-made apps, O SCANada and Maple Scan, allow users to scan products to determine whether they're Canadian-made. O SCANada co-creator Ryan Checora explained, “We found that the question ‘Is it Canadian?’ rarely has a straightforward answer—unless you’re talking about maple syrup,” according to Barron's. His app has over 80,000 downloads and helps users find Canadian alternatives to American goods.Maple Scan developer Sasha Ivanov says over 100,000 Canadians have downloaded his app, scanning more than 320,000 items. maplescan.ca
Shoppers Stage Quiet Protest with Product Flipping and Hashtags
In grocery stores, some Canadian shoppers are allegedly physically flipping U.S. products upside down as a quiet protest. Maple leaf tags are being added to shelves to help consumers identify local goods. On social media, Canadians are rallying under hashtags like #ElbowsUp, a hockey term that’s come to symbolize national defiance. Anna Nekrashevich / Pexels