Key Takeaways
- There was a 30.7% year-over-year decline in Canadian residents’ trips to and from the United States by automobile in December.
- Canadian return trips by air from the U.S. fell 18.7% in December.
- Total international arrivals by air and automobile by returning Canadian residents and non-residents was 4.6 million, down 12.7% from December 2024.
- U.S. residents took 981,800 trips to Canada by car in December, representing a 9% year-over-year drop.
- Arrivals to Canada by air by non-Canadians totalled 752,700, down 1.1% from a year ago.
Introduction to the Decline in Transborder Travel
The Blue Water Bridge border crossing in Point Edward, Ont., has seen a significant decrease in traffic in recent months. According to Statistics Canada, there was a "steep decline" in the number of trips Canadian residents took to and from the United States in December. This marks yet another month of slowdown in transborder travel, with a 30.7% year-over-year drop in automobile trips from the U.S. to 1.3 million. This figure is unchanged from November’s total, which was 28.6% down from the same month in 2024.
December Travel Data
The December 2025 data marked 12 consecutive months of year-over-year declines in transborder travel. By air, Canadian return trips from the U.S. fell 18.7% in December to 470,700. In contrast, Canadian return trips by air from overseas countries increased 10.4% to 1.1 million. Overall, Canadians returned from 1.6 million trips by air from abroad, down by 0.1% from the previous year. This mixed data suggests that while travel to the U.S. is declining, travel to other countries is increasing.
U.S. Resident Travel to Canada
Meanwhile, U.S. residents took 981,800 trips to Canada by car in December, representing a 9% year-over-year drop and the 11th consecutive month of declines. By air, U.S. trips to Canada were down 8.9%. This decline in U.S. resident travel to Canada is a significant trend, as it has been consistent over the past 11 months. The total number of U.S. resident trips to Canada by air and automobile is not provided, but the decline in both modes of transportation suggests a broader slowdown in travel between the two countries.
International Arrivals
Total international arrivals by air and automobile by returning Canadian residents and non-residents was 4.6 million, down 12.7% from December 2024. This category has also seen 11 straight months of year-over-year declines. Arrivals to Canada by air by non-Canadians last month totalled 752,700, down 1.1% from a year ago. Statistics Canada said this decrease was driven by an 8.9% decline in U.S.-resident arrivals and was partially offset by a 6.6% increase in overseas-resident arrivals. This data suggests that while U.S. resident travel to Canada is declining, travel from other countries is increasing.
Implications of the Decline in Transborder Travel
The decline in transborder travel between Canada and the U.S. has significant implications for both countries. The tourism industry, which relies heavily on international travel, may be affected by the decline in U.S. resident travel to Canada. Additionally, the decline in Canadian travel to the U.S. may impact the economy, as Canadians are spending less money on travel and tourism in the U.S. The increase in travel to other countries, however, may provide opportunities for the Canadian tourism industry to diversify its markets and attract visitors from other regions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the decline in transborder travel between Canada and the U.S. is a significant trend that has been consistent over the past 12 months. The data suggests that while U.S. resident travel to Canada is declining, travel from other countries is increasing. The implications of this decline are far-reaching, with potential impacts on the tourism industry and the economy. As the travel industry continues to evolve, it will be important to monitor these trends and adjust strategies to attract visitors from a diverse range of markets.
