Statistics Canada's latest report indicates a significant drop in the number of Canadians traveling to the United States. In February 2026, Canadian-resident return trips from the U. S. fell by 14.5% compared to February 2025, and a substantial 31.5% compared to February 2024. This decline encompasses both vehicle and air travel, with return trips by vehicle down 12.9% and air travel down 17.6%.
This downward trend has impacted businesses in U. S. border states. Dannielle Melquist, marketing director for Visit Fargo-Moorhead, noted a 20% decrease in Canadian visitors. Melquist highlighted the impact on hotels, sports tournaments, and local boutiques. The organization is planning advertising campaigns to encourage Canadian travel, acknowledging external factors like the Canadian dollar's value and the rising cost of travel.
While travel to the U. S. decreases, Canadians are increasingly exploring destinations overseas. Canadian-resident return trips from overseas by air rose 7.2% in February 2026. For the second consecutive month, more Canadians returned from overseas by air than from the U. S. by car. Domestically, travel within Canada is also on the rise, with an 89% increase in domestic spring break travel demand in 2026 compared to 2025.
The Winnipeg Airports Authority (WAA) attributes the decrease in U. S. travel to tariffs and geopolitical tensions. While Canadian travel to the U. S. is down, U. S. resident trips to Canada increased by 6.1% in February 2026, marking the first increase after a year of declines. This suggests a divergence in travel patterns between the two countries, with Canadians opting for alternative destinations.
