Are Canadians really cancelling U.S. winter travel?

Yes. A Guardian poll found only 26% of Canadians plan to travel to the U.S. this winter — a major drop from 41% the previous year, especially among older travellers.

Why are snowbirds boycotting U.S. destinations?

Reasons include hostile political rhetoric, new 10% tariffs from the Trump administration, and stricter U.S. border rules. Many Canadians now view U.S. travel as less safe or welcoming.

Are Canadians selling their U.S. properties?

Yes. Over half of Canadians who own property in the U.S. say they are considering selling, with political instability and tariffs cited as key reasons.

What’s the economic impact on the U.S.?

Canadian snowbirds contribute billions to the U.S. economy each year, particularly in Florida and Arizona. Tourism groups are warning of serious local losses if this boycott continues.

✈️ Canadian Snowbirds Abandon U.S. Travel Plans

Nov 9, 2025

Only 26% of Canadians plan to escape the cold winter weather by travelling south to the United States this year, according to the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada (THIA). That represents a 37% drop from previous years and signals a major shift in seasonal travel behaviour.

The decline is most severe among travellers aged 61 and older—commonly referred to as "snowbirds"—with only 10% planning U.S. visits this winter, a 66% decrease from 2024. Younger travellers are more inclined to head south, with nearly 45% of those aged 18 to 34 still planning trips to the U.S.

The THIA survey cites multiple factors driving the pullback: more than 40% of respondents cited rising travel costs, a nearly equal number pointed to political tensions, and smaller segments flagged concerns about exchange rates and personal safety. New U.S. entry regulations—set to take effect December 26—will require biometric registration and a US$30 border fee for non-citizens staying more than 30 days, further discouraging long-term stays.

Source: globalagents.ca.

Our Take

This should come as no surprise at this point. Trump continues to insult and threaten Canada, and continues to make it harder for non-US citizens to travel comfortably across the border. Moreover, Canadian's purse strings are tightening, and the Canadian dollar is weaker against the US dollar than it has been in recent years - so affordability is also an issue. Regardless, Florida and Arizona tourism are almost certainly going to suffer as a result - if only it would hit Mar-a-Lago's bottom line, perhaps we'd see a reaction from Trump. But no matter: there are many beautiful places to visit in Canada in the winter - a Banff vacation, anyone?

Other stories from this week:

🚙 Ottawa Files Formal Complaint Over Stellantis Plant Move

📉 Carney’s Budget Promises Big Spending and Bold Restructuring

💰 Ontario Offers Tariff Relief and Export Aid in Mini-Budget

← Back to Blog Homepage