Canadian Snowbird Travel to U.S. Plummets Ahead of Winter Season
A new survey reveals a significant decline in Canadian travel to the United States this winter, driven by political tensions, rising costs, and new U.S. border policies.
The Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada (THIA) released its 2025 Winter Smart Traveller Survey today, showing that only 26 per cent of Canadians plan to travel to the U.S. this winter – a 37 per cent drop from last year. The decline is particularly pronounced among baby boomers, with just 10 per cent planning a trip south, a 66 per cent decrease compared to the previous year. This shift could lead to increased spending within Canada’s domestic tourism sector.
While the rising cost of travel was cited as the primary reason for the decrease (41 per cent), 40 per cent of respondents pointed to political tensions with the U.S. as a factor. “There is a somewhat anti-U.S. sentiment (among tourists). There’s also a certain fear because of the border security issues that the Trump administration has imposed,” said Marion Joppe, professor emerita at the University of Guelph’s School of Hospitality, Food and Tourism Management. Recent U.S. policies requiring foreign nationals, including Canadians, to register with the government to avoid penalties have also contributed to uncertainty, as reported by the Canadian Snowbird Association. Younger Canadians are less hesitant, with 44 per cent of Gen Z respondents still planning U.S. trips, though this is down 18 per cent from last year.
“Gen Z and millennials are not avoiding the U.S. with the same ferocity as older Canadians are,” explained Will McAleer, executive director at the THIA. Experts predict this trend will bolster domestic tourism within Canada, offering opportunities for local businesses and attractions. For more information on travel insurance, visit the Government of Canada’s travel health website.
Officials say they are continuing to monitor the situation at the border and are working to address concerns raised by Canadian travellers.
