World · North America · 7 hrs ago
Canadian snowbird travel to the U.S. shows signs of recovery
Some Canadians are still heading to the United States for winter, despite calls to boycott travel there.
The dispute followed U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods in 2025 and anti-Canada rhetoric, which encouraged some people to choose Canadian businesses and destinations.
A survey of more than 4,000 Snowbird Advisor members found that 70 per cent intended to winter in the U.S. in 2025-26, down from 82 per cent who had spent the previous winter there.
But Canadian return trips from the U.S. rose 6.8 per cent in September compared with September 2025, marking six consecutive months of year-over-year growth.
Snowbirds may be less able to switch destinations because many own property, bring a vehicle and have friends in the U.S. Toronto-area realtor Richard Chin is among those planning to spend more time in Florida, while others he knows refuse to visit the country.
The figures suggest travel is picking up, but some Canadians continue to avoid the U.S.
Canadian residents made about 1.9 million return trips from the United States by air and automobile in September, up 6.8 per cent from a year earlier.
The increase was the sixth consecutive month of year-over-year growth, according to preliminary Statistics Canada figures.
Some Canadian snowbirds continue to travel to the United States despite the trade dispute and calls to boycott U.S. travel.
A Snowbird Advisor survey found that plans to spend winter in the United States fell after cross-border tensions grew.
- Who
- Canadian snowbirds and other Canadian residents travelling to the United States.
- What
- Cross-border travel is showing signs of recovery, while some snowbirds continue to winter in the United States.
- When
- Preliminary figures cover September; the article was published November 8, 2026.
- Where
- Travel from Canada to the United States, including popular snowbird states such as Florida, Arizona and California.
- Why
- Some snowbirds are drawn by property, the ability to have their own vehicle, and relationships in local communities. The sources also link the earlier travel retreat to tariffs and anti-Canada rhetoric.
Canadians boycotting U.S. travel
Snowbirds continuing to travel to the United States
Response to the trade dispute
Canadians boycotting U.S. travel
Some Canadians are upset and will not travel to the United States.
Snowbirds continuing to travel to the United States
Richard Chin says he tries to keep politics out of his decision to travel.
Travel plans
Canadians boycotting U.S. travel
The boycott movement has reached winter getaway plans.
Snowbirds continuing to travel to the United States
Some snowbirds still go to the United States, where they may own property and have friends.
The United States imposed sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods, and the trade dispute and anti-Canada rhetoric helped fuel a movement to buy Canadian and boycott U.S. travel.
A Snowbird Advisor survey of more than 4,000 members found that 70 per cent intended to spend the following winter in the United States, down from 82 per cent who had spent the 2024–2025 winter there.
Canadian residents made approximately 1.9 million return trips from the United States by air and automobile, up 6.8 per cent from September 2025.
BNN Bloomberg published a report on signs of recovery in Canadian travel to the United States.
- September return trips
- Approximately 1.9 million by air and automobile
- Year-over-year change
- Up 6.8 per cent from September 2025
- Growth streak
- Sixth consecutive month of year-over-year growth
- Snowbird Advisor survey
- More than 4,000 members
- Winter travel plans
- 70 per cent intended to spend the next winter in the United States, compared with 82 per cent who spent 2024–2025 there
- Popular snowbird states
- Florida, Arizona and California
What people are saying
We need to remember the majority of snowbirds still go to the U.S.
For me, it’s not really an issue. I do try to keep the politics out of it.
They’re quite upset and you can’t blame them, but they’re not stepping foot in the United States.