A year and a half after Canadians began avoiding trips to the United States, some are starting to travel there again. In June, the number of Canadian residents returning from the U.S. increased by 3.2% compared to the same month last year, as per Statistics Canada. This marks the third consecutive month of growth in inbound travel from the U.S. by Canadians, following increases of 9.5% in May and 1.4% in April.
The rise in travel was mainly driven by an uptick in car travel, with 5.2% more Canadians returning from the U.S. by car compared to the previous June. However, air travel from the U.S. to Canada decreased by 3.8% year-over-year in June.
Despite the slight increase in car travel, Canadian travel to the U.S. remains significantly below pre-pandemic levels. This suggests that while there is some optimism in the U.S. tourism industry, it may not lead to a substantial boost for businesses in the near future.
Compared to June 2024, Canadian return travel from the U.S. in June 2026 was down by a significant 28.7%. Wayne Smith, a professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, views the recent travel uptick as a gradual return to normal rather than a complete shift in travel patterns.
Kristy Kennedy, vice president of marketing and operations at the North Country Chamber of Commerce, noted a slight increase in Canadian travel in New York State near the Quebec border. She observed more Canadians visiting and engaging in local businesses, indicating a positive trend in cross-border travel.
Amir Eylon, president and CEO of travel consultancy Longwoods International, suggested that recent promotional campaigns and attractive offers may have contributed to the increase in cross-border travel. Factors such as high airfare costs, the allure of discounts, and events like the World Cup could have influenced Canadians to choose U.S. destinations for travel.
While the recent growth in cross-border travel is encouraging, experts remain cautious about its long-term impact on the U.S. tourism industry. Smith highlighted that the majority of increased travel has been by car, not by air, which typically brings in more revenue and longer stays. Additionally, shifting travel preferences and economic factors like the weak Canadian dollar may pose challenges for attracting Canadian tourists back to the U.S.