Key Takeaways:
- The number of Canadian-resident return trips from the United States has decreased by 26.3% from last year.
- Canadian-resident return trips by car have dropped by 30.2%, while trips by air have decreased by 15%.
- Political turmoil in the US and concerns about traveling to the country are contributing factors to the decline.
- Canadian airports are experiencing growth in domestic travel, but a decline in transborder travel to and from the US.
- The number of trips to Canada by US residents has increased by 3%, while trips by overseas residents have increased by 11.7%.
Introduction to the Decline in US Travel
The holiday season is upon us, and for many Canadians, travel plans are underway. However, one destination that is notably absent from many travel lists is the United States. According to recent data from Statistics Canada, the number of Canadian-resident return trips from the US has decreased by 26.3% from last year. This decline is evident in both car and air travel, with a 30.2% drop in car trips and a 15% decrease in air travel. Martin Firestone, president of Travel Secure Inc., has firsthand experience with this trend, stating that many Canadians are opting to travel elsewhere due to concerns about the current US administration and its impact on Canada.
The Impact of Political Turmoil
The current US administration, led by Donald Trump, has been a source of controversy and tension, particularly with regards to Canada. Trump’s repeated calls for Canada to become the 51st state and his attacks on Canada’s sovereignty have not gone unnoticed. This political turmoil has likely contributed to the decline in Canadian travel to the US, as many Canadians are choosing to avoid the country altogether. Firestone notes that people are saying, "I just don’t want to be part of this or anything that is going on right now in the US," and are instead opting to travel to other destinations.
Air Travel Trends
Toronto’s Pearson International Airport is expecting a busy holiday season, with 3.2 million passengers anticipated between December 17 and January 5. This translates to approximately 171,000 passengers per day during high traffic periods, with around 1,000 flights per day. Despite the decline in transborder travel to and from the US, Pearson Airport has seen slight growth in overall passenger volumes, with a 0.7% increase to 35.8 million passengers through the end of the third quarter. This growth is largely driven by strong domestic travel, which has partially offset the decline in US travel.
Regional Air Travel Trends
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is also experiencing a record year in overall passenger numbers, despite a noticeable decline in passengers to and from the US. Through the end of October, YVR has recorded approximately 5.3 million arriving and departing US travelers, a decrease of 5.9% compared to the same time frame last year. This decline is consistent with the overall trend of decreased Canadian travel to the US. However, YVR is still expecting a strong holiday season, with many Canadians opting to travel within the country or to international destinations other than the US.
International Travel Trends
While Canadian travel to the US may be declining, travel to Canada from other countries is on the rise. The number of trips to Canada by US residents in October totaled 1,814,406, up 3% compared to the same month last year. Additionally, the number of trips to Canada by overseas residents totaled 548,992, an increase of 11.7% from last year. Arrivals from Europe rose 10.5% compared to last year, while arrivals from Asia gained 14.9%. This increase in international travel to Canada is a positive trend for the country’s tourism industry, and suggests that Canada remains a desirable destination for travelers from around the world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the decline in Canadian travel to the US is a notable trend this holiday season. Political turmoil, concerns about traveling to the US, and a decline in transborder travel are all contributing factors to this decline. However, Canadian airports are experiencing growth in domestic travel, and international travel to Canada is on the rise. As the holiday season gets underway, it will be interesting to see how these trends continue to play out, and whether Canadians will continue to opt for destinations other than the US.
