Vacation travel to U.S. down as Canadian tourists make strategic decisions on where to spend time, money

As Mexico sees steady growth in Canadian tourists, the U.S. is experiencing a decline.

Data from Tourism Economics and the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office reveals a 24% drop in Canadian tourism to the United States during the first six months of 2025.

Major cities such as Las Vegas (down 50%), New York (down 46%) and Honolulu (down 41%) are being hit hardest, said Amra Durakovic, communications director with Flight Centre Travel Group in Toronto.

Florida remains the most resilient, but is down 22%, she said.

  • Corporal_Punishment@feddit.ukEnglish
    10·
    13 hours ago

    Went to Mexico as a UK tourist a few years ago (Maya Riviera).

    It was amazing, the people are so friendly. The only dickheads we met were the Americans who were treating the staff like shit.

    We made up for it by tipping them extra and being super nice to them. Our pool attendant couldn’t do enough for us, proactively bringing us drinks and snacks.

    She ignored the Americans and when they asked for something they got told to go to the bar.

  • Ininewcrow@piefed.caEnglish
    21·
    17 hours ago

    Wild to think that it would be safer to go to Mexico than the US.

    If you’re not white you’re more likely to be arrested, detained, sent back or disappeared if you go to the US.

    • robocall@lemmy.worldEnglish
      16·
      18 hours ago

      As an American, I would love to visit Cuba. But my country makes it difficult because communism bad or something dumb.

      • bdonvr@thelemmy.clubEnglish
        13·
        17 hours ago

        I’m American and I went!

        It’s not too bad actually. There’s a bunch of rules technically (all imposed by the American govt because they think they can control what you do abroad…) but really it’s not to hard to follow. Have to stay in a Casa Particular instead of a hotel (because the hotels are state run), which basically means get an AirBnB. Prices are very affordable. I paid $100 for a week in Old Havana. Flights from Florida were very cheap. Then you have to avoid government run things. I found some private tour guides for some trips outside of Havana but most days we just took taxis or walked (it’s quite safe) around Havana talking to people, seeing some monuments, going to bars and such.

        The real pain is money. Your cards will not work at all anywhere in Cuba due to the sanctions. No ATMs because of this. So you need to bring all the money you need. Many places will take USD or Euros, some things you need Cuban Pesos for and you’ll want to find someone on the street to change it out with and haggle the rate. The official government exchanges give abysmal rates.

        Cell service on your domestic plan ranges from non-existent or still stuck in the early 2000s where moderate usage will cost $1000s… But I was able to get a local tourist sim for $14 for a week and just didn’t use my home cell data.

        The Treasury can ask for receipts for 5 years after your trip but as far as I’ve ever heard they haven’t asked anyone about it.