Cross-Border Travel Between Canada and U.S. Shows Significant Decline
New data from Statistics Canada reveals a concerning trend in cross-border travel between Canada and the United States. According to the agency's latest report, visits to Canada by U.S. residents dropped by 7.5 percent in December 2025 compared to the same month a year earlier. This translates to approximately 1.6 million visits during that period.
Canadian Travel to the U.S. Plummets
The decline in American visits is mirrored by an even steeper drop in Canadian travel to the United States. The number of Canadian-resident return trips from the U.S. continues to slide, with a substantial 25 percent year-over-year decrease recorded in December 2025.
British Columbia experienced the most significant decline in American visitors, which Statistics Canada attributes partly to exceptionally high numbers in December 2024. That month coincided with a series of high-profile concerts in Vancouver, including three performances by global superstar Taylor Swift.
Transportation Breakdown Shows Consistent Patterns
The data reveals specific patterns across different modes of transportation:
- Arrivals to Canada by automobile totaled 1.1 million, representing a 7.5 percent decrease year-over-year
- Just over half (50.7 percent) of these automobile arrivals were same-day trips
- Air arrivals from the United States reached 395,800, falling 4.6 percent
- Canadian-resident return trips from the U.S. by automobile declined sharply by 30.2 percent to 1.5 million
- Most of these automobile trips (68.4 percent) were day trips
- The number of Canadian-resident return trips by air from the United States (718,400) fell 11 percent
Overseas Travel Presents Brighter Picture
While cross-border travel with the United States shows decline, visits to Canada from overseas countries present a more positive trend. The number of trips to Canada by overseas residents increased by 14.1 percent in December 2025 compared to the same month a year earlier, reaching 509,500 visits.
The majority of these overseas visitors (90.7 percent) arrived by air, indicating different travel patterns compared to U.S. visitors who more frequently use land crossings.
Regional Breakdown of Overseas Visitors
Statistics Canada provided specific regional data for overseas visitors:
- Visitors from Europe increased by 8.7 percent
- Travelers from Asia rose by 15.9 percent
- Visitors from the Americas (excluding the United States) climbed by 19.7 percent
These three groups were the primary contributors to the year-over-year jump in overseas-resident arrivals. The top three countries of residence for overseas visitors were the United Kingdom (59,600), France (52,700), and Mexico (47,200), accounting for 31.3 percent of all overseas arrivals.
Canadian Travel Overseas Shows Growth
In contrast to declining travel to the United States, Canadian-resident return trips by air from overseas countries increased by 13.3 percent compared with December 2024, reaching 1.2 million trips.
Seasonal Factors Influence Travel Patterns
Statistics Canada notes that tourism is significantly influenced by seasonal activity, including both actual seasons and holidays. The agency's analysis reveals slight upticks in Christmas holiday visitors from both the United States (1.5 percent) and overseas countries (1.2 percent) during the holiday period.
The data suggests shifting patterns in international travel to and from Canada, with traditional cross-border travel with the United States declining while overseas connections strengthen. These trends may reflect broader economic factors, changing travel preferences, and evolving international relationships affecting tourism flows between North American neighbors.
