Canadians still avoiding travel to the United States

Fewer Canadians are travelling to the U.S. than before, and as CTV’s Natalie van Rooy reports, that will impact American businesses this holiday season.

The biggest travel season of the year is just around the corner and it appears many Canadians are not yet ready to return to the United States.

Statistics show cross-border travel between the two countries continues to nosedive and that is having an impact on U.S. businesses.

Jules Landry and his wife say they’re heading out on their annual trip down south to Florida, but this year it feels different.

“Apparently this year there’s a bit less Canadians going down,” said Landry. “It’s very sad because the Americans were always our friends and neighbors and now, unfortunately, we have the political climate that’s causing a bit of an issue.”

• Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters

Many Canadians says they’re still boycotting the U.S. due to the ongoing trade war.

“I haven’t traveled to the States since Trump first got elected,” said Rise Paquette, who was travelling within Canada at the Ottawa International Airport. “I couldn’t go and it’s nothing about the people there. They’re all wonderful, but it’s the thought that counts.”

In September, the number of return trips from the U.S. by Canadians dropped nearly 31 per cent compared to the same time last year. Those like Paquette who are avoiding the U.S. say they would rather spend their tourism dollars elsewhere.

• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

“I have family in the Bahamas and I just found out Porter flies directly there, so I don’t have to fly through the States, so maybe that,” Paquette said.

Statistics also show a major drop-off in crossings at the Ogdensburg Prescott International Bridge south of Ottawa, with toll revenue collection falling by more than $841,000 so far this year and bridge traffic in October down nearly 40,000 crossings year over year.

The trend is hurting businesses on the U.S. side, like Market on Main in New York.

“I’ve definitely had a notable decline in customer traffic and that really hurts. Not just the traffic, but the sales as well,” said Kelly Clark, Market on Main owner.

Clark say she’s hoping Canadian customers come back.

“We miss our neighbors. I’ve been in business since 2022 and I’ve gotten to know quite a few people from Canada and I miss them. I miss hearing the updates from their families and what’s going on in their lives,” she said.