Americans are increasingly flocking to Canada for vacation, driven by high fuel costs that make overseas travel less feasible, favorable exchange rates and a desire to escape the domestic political climate, according to a new report.
Between 2024 and 2025, U.S. visits north of the border rose by 10 percent, and early data indicates there could be a further 26 percent increase in 2026, according to Chase Travel.
“Our American friends are coming to visit us in greater numbers than ever,” Charles McDiarmid, who owns an inn in British Columbia, told Bloomberg. The property is on pace for its busiest summer yet with U.S. guests, with June bookings up 55 percent from a year ago.
At the same time, Canadians are largely continuing to avoid travel to the U.S. amid rising tensions following President Donald Trump’s return to office. The Republican president has slapped lofty tariffs on Canada — a longtime ally and major trading partner — and repeatedly floated the idea of making the country the 51st state, prompting many to boycott excursions south of the border.
Canadian trips to the U.S. have decreased by more than 34 percent since the beginning of 2025, and flight bookings for this summer have nosedived by 70 percent. In 2025, total international visits to the U.S. dropped by 5.5 percent compared to 2024, according to a recently published study.
Myriad factors are contributing to the rise in U.S. trips to the Great White North, including gas prices, which have skyrocketed amid the war with Iran, Bloomberg reports.
On Tuesday, the national average price of gasoline in the U.S. stood at $4.02 a gallon, up from $2.98 before the conflict broke out, according to AAA. As a result, Canada is becoming an increasingly attractive option for Americans planning vacations, offering a shorter drive or flight than many popular destinations.
U.S. travelers may also be lured by the relatively weak Canadian dollar. As of Wednesday, one Canadian dollar is equal to $0.73. “The friendlier exchange rate can make it manageable for American visitors to level up from burgers and poutine to a more serious meal,” Bloomberg reports.
The domestic political climate may also be nudging Americans who oppose the Trump administration to seek an escape. According to the latest Quinnipiac survey, 55 percent of Americans disapprove of the way Trump is handling his job as president, while 38 percent said they approve.
“Americans are paying closer attention to Canada right now than we’ve seen in years,” Gloria Loree, the chief marketing officer at Destination Canada, told Bloomberg. “What’s coming through in our research is that beyond the value or proximity, there’s a growing importance placed on feeling genuinely welcome, and Canada delivers on that in a way that feels both easy and meaningful.”
Emily Matchar, an Indiana resident who recently traveled to Quebec and Ontario, said her treks have doubled “as an apology tour” to make amends for Trump’s hostile actions and rhetoric.
“We’ve been mad at the way the U.S. is treating [Canada],” she said. “And we thought it would be good to contribute to our neighbor’s economy, even if a tiny bit.”
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