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Statistics Canada posted its “Economic and Social Reports” on July 22, 2026. The data includes hard numbers on the shifts Canadians made in 2025, opting for international travel rather than U.S. visits. The numbers clearly show the impact of U.S. versus overseas travel among Canadians.

Comparing Canadians’ Leisure Travel To And Away From The U.S. In 2025

Along with the decrease in travel, the U.S. tourism sector has lost billions. In response, U.S. states are actively courting Canadians; Vermont, for example, has seen its tourism almost cut in half. Airlines are moving away from U.S. travel, relying instead on Mexico and other international destinations, including European hotspots such as Portugal, Spain and Italy.

Travel spending took a major hit in 2025 for U.S. visits among Canadians. Travel spending declined by $3.3 billion. This was sparked by a decrease in spending during leisure-related visits. According to Statistics Canada, a decrease in leisure-related visits alone resulted in a decline of $2.2 billion.

“Travel spending on visits to the United States declined by $3.3 billion to total $18.8 billion in 2025. Lower spending on leisure-related visits, which fell by $2.2 billion to $12.1 billion, drove this decline.”

The number wasn’t an indicator of Canadians spending less money on leisure travel in general. Instead, leisure-related visits elsewhere reached $22.8 billion, a major surge.

“Spending on leisure-related visits overseas grew by $3.6 billion in 2025 to reach $22.8 billion, accounting for just under half of overall expenditures abroad. Domestically, 2025 expenditures rose 8.7% from 2024 to $81.3 billion, driven by an 8.1% increase in spending on leisure-related travel.”

There is no indication that Canadians are traveling less. Looking more closely at the losses from the U.S., Canadians are instead turning to overseas travel and domestic trips within Canada.

Increases In Domestic And Overseas Travel Almost Entirely Offset The U.S. Decreases

The National Travel Survey added to the numbers, revealing that the decrease in U.S. travel was almost completely offset by a surge in domestic and overseas visits.

Although Canadians have continued domestic and overseas travel, there has been an increase in visits to the United States compared to last year. In June, Canadians increased visits to the United States compared to the same month the year prior, signaling that the boycotts may be cooling off. Though an argument can be made, the FIFA World Cup brought more visitors to the U.S., only temporarily.

Despite 2025 Decreases, Canadians Increased Travel To The United States In June

In Statistics Canada’s July 13 report, the data revealed an increase in U.S. travel among Canadians for the third month in a row compared to 2025. Automobile returns were a major reason for the June 2026 surge.

Canadian Resident Return Trips From The United States In June

As for Canadian-resident return trips from overseas countries by air, numbers slightly decreased by 0.4%, with 873,200 return trips for June 2026.

Although the numbers increase, it is key that the increase is driven by automobile trips, which in some cases translates to fewer days of travel and less spending in the United States. The current numbers are trending toward another decrease in spending compared to 2024. However, it appears as though more Canadians have been open to visiting the United States compared to last year.

With a $3.3 billion loss in Canadian spending last year, the U.S. tourism sector will be looking to entice Canadians back in, particularly with Labor Day fast approaching. While some continue efforts to entice Canadians back, other U.S. destinations are pushing toward increases in domestic travelers, along with overseas visitors. However, overall, the goal remains the same for most states: to welcome Canadians back with open arms following a decrease in leisure spending worth billions.