Travel associations on both sides of the border have banded together to tackle unprecedented challenges facing the industry in 2025 — starting with the ongoing tariff war between the U.S. and Canada. The newly formed Beyond Borders Tourism Coalition (BBTC) brings together the United States Tour Operators Association and the Canadian Association of Tour Operators as well as the Adventure Travel Trade Association, American Bus Association, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, International Inbound Travel Association, National Tour Association and Student & Youth Travel Association. “The travel industry’s interconnected nature demands unified voice and action to tackle shared challenges arising from Read more
travel to the U.S.
The Golden State is showing Canada some love. At a time when many Canadians have soured on trips to the U.S. because of ongoing political disputes and President Donald Trump’s tariffs and 51st state comments, Visit California has launched a new campaign ” to show Canadians that they are missed, they are deeply valued, and they are always welcome in California.” “California would not be the same without Canadians,” Visit California officials said. ” In 2024, California welcomed 1.8 million Canadian visitors, making it the state’s second-largest global tourism market.” California Governor Gavin Newsom has a fun, cheeky video on Read more
The Canadian government has new travel advisories up for citizens and residents who plan to visit the U.S. or China. Ottawa recently updated its travel advisory site to say that residents of Canada and other foreign nationals visiting the U.S. for longer than 30 days must register with the U.S. government. Canadians haven’t had to register with the government of the U.S. prior to this. U.S. President Donald Trump in January signed an executive order called “Protecting the American People Against Invasion.” The order requires all foreign nationals, including Canadians, to register with U.S. Customs and Immigration Services if they Read more
If you’re a Canadian thinking of staying home for your holidays this year, or if you’re an American thinking of taking advantage of the low Canadian dollar and coming north for a summer vacation, you might want to fire up your laptop or start scrolling on your phone. With many Canadians swearing off trips to the United States because of President Donald Trump’s tariffs, and with a resulting great rise in “Buy Canadian” sentiment, travel industry officials say they’re already seeing an increase in interest. And in prices. Amra Durakovic, head of communications for Flight Centre Travel Group in Canada, Read more
We might be seeing some of the first data that shows Canadians are, indeed, avoiding travel to the United States. Global News reports that numbers provided by a company called Cascade Gateway, which also provides border wait times, shows that in February this year so far, there have been on average 3,500 cars heading to the U.S. through the Peace Arch border crossing between British Columbia and Washington State. That compares to nearly 5,000 a day last February, and represent a significant 30% drop. Weather could be an issue, but officials in Washington State say the threatened, on again/off again tariff Read more