Cross-border travel from Canada to the U.S. dropped sharply in March 2025, with nearly 900,000 fewer trips compared to the same month last year. According to new data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, only 4.1 million travellers made the trip, down 17% from 4.97 million in 2024 — one of the worst year-over-year declines since the pandemic.
Observers cite political tensions, including former President Donald Trump’s trade war rhetoric and anti-Canada commentary, as major drivers of the downturn. Remarkably, more Canadians crossed into the U.S. in March 2022, during COVID-19 travel restrictions, than this year.
The slump comes during a peak travel month and is hitting U.S. states like California hard. Canadian tourists spent $20.5 billion in the U.S. last year, supporting 140,000 jobs. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has launched a campaign to lure Canadians back, promoting warmth and hospitality over political noise.
Tourism leaders warn that the damage could be long-term. In Palm Springs, where Canadians make up a significant portion of visitors and homeowners, local officials are rolling out welcoming banners and marketing to combat declining numbers.
Air travel also saw declines, with pre-cleared airport travellers dropping 4%, and land crossings showing even steeper dips. Airlines like WestJet, Flair, and Air Canada reported drops in passenger traffic to U.S. destinations like Las Vegas.
Duty-free stores along the Canadian border are especially affected. Sales are down 40–50%, and some businesses fear closure if the trend continues. The Frontier Duty Free Association warns that after barely recovering from the pandemic, the sector is now in crisis mode.
Source: Swifteradio.com
