A year and a half after Canadians began avoiding trips to the U.S., some are now starting to travel there again. Recent data from Statistics Canada shows that in June, Canadian return trips from the U.S. increased by 3.2% compared to the same month last year. This marks the third consecutive month of growth, following increases of 9.5% in May and 1.4% in April.
The rise in travel was mainly driven by an uptick in car travel, with 5.2% more Canadians returning from the U.S. by car in June compared to the previous year. However, air travel from the U.S. to Canada decreased by 3.8% year-over-year in June.
Despite the increase in car travel, Canadian travel to the U.S. is still significantly lower compared to pre-pandemic levels. The current rate of travel is being seen as a “new normal” by Wayne Smith, a professor at Toronto Metropolitan University’s Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Research.
Kristy Kennedy, vice-president of marketing and operations at the North Country Chamber of Commerce, noted a slight uptick in Canadian travel near the Quebec border in New York State. Some local businesses have observed more Canadian visitors, indicating a positive trend in cross-border travel.
Amir Eylon, president and CEO of travel consultancy Longwoods International, believes that promotional campaigns and attractive deals for Canadian travelers may have contributed to the recent increase in cross-border travel. Factors such as the high cost of airfare and the World Cup hosted by Canada, the U.S., and Mexico could have also played a role in driving travel to the U.S.
While there is cautious optimism in the tourism industry due to the recent growth in cross-border travel, some experts, like Smith, remain skeptical about the long-term impact on American tourism businesses. The shift in travel patterns and the weak Canadian dollar present challenges for the U.S. in regaining Canadian travelers.
