Canadian Travel to the U.S. Rises Again, Stats Canada Reports

Rising Trends in Canadian Travel to the U.S.

New data from Statistics Canada highlights a positive shift in travel patterns between Canada and the United States. The second monthly increase in Canadian travel to the U.S. was recorded in June, marking a gradual recovery after a period of decline. According to the agency, return trips by Canadian residents from the U.S. reached 1.7 million in June, representing a 3.2 per cent increase compared to the same month in 2025. Additionally, return trips via automobile saw a rise of 5.2 per cent.

However, there was a notable decrease in return trips by air, with a 3.8 per cent drop observed during the same period. This fluctuation may reflect changes in travel preferences or economic factors influencing air travel choices.

The recent uptick in travel comes after a prolonged period of reduced movement between the two countries. The decline was largely attributed to tensions stemming from the American administration’s trade policies against Canada and former U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial remarks about making Canada the “51st state.” These statements led to a significant Canadian boycott of U.S. travel that lasted over 15 months.

Trump’s presidency began in January 2025, and his rhetoric contributed to a sharp decline in cross-border travel. However, recent data suggests a slow but steady recovery. When comparing the number of return trips in June 2026 with those in June 2024, a 28.7 per cent decline was recorded. This decline was driven by fewer trips by both automobile (-29.6 per cent) and air (-25.0 per cent).

Despite these challenges, the first signs of improvement were seen in April 2026, when return trips from the U.S. for Canadian residents increased by 1.8 per cent year over year. This modest growth signals a potential turning point in cross-border travel trends.

International Travel to Canada Shows Growth

While domestic travel trends show some recovery, international travel to Canada also experienced a positive shift. In June, overseas resident trips to Canada rose by 5.1 per cent compared to the same month in the previous year. Air travel remained the dominant mode of entry, with a 5.8 per cent increase in air arrivals from overseas.

The peak of this travel surge occurred on June 26, coinciding with the height of the FIFA World Cup in Canada. Toronto and Vancouver hosted 13 matches from June 11 to July 2, drawing fans from around the world and stimulating local tourism.

Impact of the FIFA World Cup on Travel

The FIFA World Cup played a significant role in boosting international travel to Canada. Across 15 overseas countries that participated in the tournament, total air arrivals from these nations increased by 32.5 per cent in June compared to the same time last year.

Specifically, air arrivals from Australia saw a spike on June 12, just before their World Cup match in Vancouver. Similarly, Panamanian travelers arrived in large numbers on June 16, the day before their match in Toronto. Panama also faced Croatia in Toronto on June 23, further contributing to the influx of visitors.

German travelers also made a significant impact, with air arrivals peaking on June 19, the day before their match against Ivory Coast in Toronto. These events underscored the growing interest in Canada as a destination for international sports fans.

Conclusion

The recent data from Statistics Canada reflects a complex picture of travel trends between Canada and the U.S. While challenges remain, the gradual increase in return trips and the boost from the FIFA World Cup indicate a positive trajectory. As relations between the two countries continue to evolve, future data will provide further insights into how these dynamics shape cross-border travel.