New data from Flight Centre reveals a significant shift in the vacation habits of Canadians, with travel to the United States plummeting by a staggering 40 percent compared to the previous year. The figures, reported on December 17, 2025, indicate that while Canadians are still eager to get away, they are increasingly looking beyond their southern neighbour for their holiday destinations.
A Major Shift in Destination Preferences
The sharp decline suggests a notable change in consumer behaviour. For years, the United States has been a top choice for Canadian travellers seeking short getaways, shopping trips, or sun destinations. The 40 percent drop points to a combination of factors potentially influencing this trend, including economic considerations, exchange rate fluctuations, or a growing desire for more novel experiences.
Pat Foran of CTV News highlighted that many Canadians are indeed still planning vacations, but they are simply not choosing the USA. This pivot opens opportunities for other international destinations and possibly for domestic tourism within Canada's vast and varied landscapes.
Context and Broader News Landscape
This travel trend emerges amidst a wide array of other national stories. From a guilty plea in a tragic Toronto drunk-driving case that killed three siblings to political considerations from a former grocery executive, the news cycle is bustling. Significant developments like a $50-billion mining merger hailed as 'great news' for British Columbia and policy debates, such as Skate Canada's decision to stop hosting events in Alberta due to a sports gender law, share the headlines.
Other notable reports include a federal call to measure public servant productivity, a teen in the Ottawa Valley searching for a kidney donor, and communities like those along Quebec's Highway 50 demanding safety improvements after a fatal crash. Weather events also remain a constant focus, with Edmonton declaring parking bans ahead of heavy snowfall and Winnipeg bracing for potential 'yo-yo weather.'
What This Means for the Travel Industry
The dramatic decrease in cross-border travel presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the tourism sector. Airlines, tour operators, and travel agencies like Flight Centre must adapt to these changing preferences. The data serves as a crucial consumer alert, signalling to the industry where to redirect marketing efforts and flight capacity.
This trend may benefit travel providers offering packages to Europe, the Caribbean, Asia, or within Canada itself. It also underscores the importance of agility in the travel market, where geopolitical, economic, and social factors can swiftly alter the flow of tourists. As 2025 comes to a close, the industry will be watching closely to see if this shift away from U.S. travel becomes a long-term pattern or a temporary adjustment.
