Canada Ready to Welcome American Tourists Again
Canadians are ready to roll out the welcome mat as the travel industry looks forward to hosting Americans once more.
Nearly a year after tensions rose following former President Donald Trump’s controversial remarks about Canada potentially becoming the 51st state, and amid tariffs and a broader slowdown in American tourism, Canada is signaling a return to cordial cross-border relations.
“Canadians and Americans are not just neighbors but also close friends and family, and the past year strained that relationship,” said Gloria Loree, Chief Marketing Officer at Destination Canada. “There was some tension, but Canadians are feeling confident under the leadership of our prime minister, and the willingness to host our friends from the U.S. is coming back strongly.”
Last month, Destination Canada hosted journalists and media professionals from around the world at Jasper National Park. The biennial event showcased attractions from Canadian cities and provinces, emphasizing that the country is ready to welcome international visitors, especially from the United States.
Tourism flows between the two nations remain somewhat unstable. The U.S. Travel Association forecasts a 3.2 percent decline in total inbound travel spending to $173 billion this year, largely due to fewer visits from Canada. Despite this, Canadians remain a vital market, with approximately 20 million Canadians traveling to the U.S. in 2024 and contributing $20.5 billion in spending. Shopping, seasonal escapes, and cultural tourism continue to draw Canadians south of the border, even as concerns about gun violence, healthcare costs, and currency fluctuations persist.