Archive · 25 Jul 2025
Canadians Opt for Domestic Travel, Shunning U.S. Vacations
Many Canadians are choosing to vacation in Canada rather than the United States.
This change is partly due to economic factors, like tariffs and a 'Buy Canadian' movement.
The government is helping with discounts and promoting local attractions.
People are going on road trips, visiting cities like Ottawa and Winnipeg, and exploring national parks.
Airlines are also adding more flights within Canada because of this increased interest in domestic travel.
Canadians are choosing domestic travel over vacationing in the U.S.
A 'Buy Canadian' movement and government initiatives support local tourism.
Domestic tourism spending in Canada rose in the first quarter of the year.
Air North and other Canadian airlines are increasing capacity for domestic routes.
Canadians are exploring national parks, cities, and seeking road trip alternatives.
- Who
- Canadians, including families and individuals, are changing their travel plans.
- What
- Canadians are increasingly choosing domestic travel over vacations in the United States.
- When
- This trend has emerged recently, with increased interest in 2024.
- Where
- Across Canada, with popular destinations including Ottawa, Yukon, and Nova Scotia. Conversely, travel to the United States has decreased.
- Why
- Reasons include economic factors, such as tariffs and a 'Buy Canadian' movement, and government promotion of domestic tourism.
Those Traveling to the US
Those Traveling in Canada
Travel preference
Those Traveling to the US
Many prefer international trips and US trips
Those Traveling in Canada
More Canadians are choosing to travel within Canada.
- Domestic Tourism Spending Increase
- 4% in the first quarter of the year
- Decline in US Trips
- 17% fewer return trips by air, 37% fewer by car in May
- Survey Findings
- 55% of Canadians plan to spend less in the US.
- Domestic Travel Plans
- 35% will spend more on domestic trips.
- Airline Capacity Increase
- Porter increased domestic capacity to 80%