• Trips by Canadians to the U.S. by air in October declines 23.9% year-over-year
• 70% of Canadians surveyed said they would be uncomfortable trading to U.S. this winter
• Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority announces Las Vegas resorts’ Cyber Week deals

The number of international arrivals to Canada (returning Canadian citizens and non-residents combined) by air and automobile saw a 12.6% year over year decline in October (4.6 million), the ninth month in a row that’s been the case, according to the latest Statistics Canada data. And reluctance among Canadians to travel to the U.S. is a big part of that.

People line up at an Air Canada customer service counter at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga last summer. The number of trips by Canadian to the U.S. saw another decline in October. Photo by Gary Hershorn/Getty Images.

Return trips by Canadians abroad by air stood at 1.4 million in October, down 5.2% from the year previous. However, the number of Canadians returning from overseas trips by air was up 6.8% compared to October 2024, at 964,200. In October 2025 the number of trips by air from the U.S. declined 23.9% to 437,000 compared to the same month in the previous year.

Why are Canadians skipping travel to the U.S.? There are these studies getting into delays and waits to cross the U.S. border. I was in line for well over an hour at U.S. customs at Toronto Pearson Airport on my way to Las Vegas and was the last person boarding my flight after arriving at the airport over two hours in advance. The moral of the story for Canadians is to get to the airport three hours in advance, at least.

23.9% Decline in U.S. Travel in October

An Angus Reid study released earlier in November revealed that 70% of Canadians say they would be uncomfortable travelling to the U.S. this winter, and two-thirds (65%) describe new border requirements for long-term visitors (including fingerprinting and a $60 registration fee) as “invasive”.

Three-quarters of Canadians (77%) say they view the U.S. more negatively as a travel destination this year than in those prior. Fewer Canadians are making multiple trips to the U.S., that’s for sure.

Past comments by U.S. President Donald Trump about Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state, and current U.S. tariff policy, has exacerbated Canadian anger towards the U.S. In the Angus Reid survey, 69% who have reduced travel to the U.S. said it’s a way “to stand up for Canada”.

Most Canadians View U.S. as a Travel Destination Negatively

The exchange rate makes everything pricier for Canadians coming into the U.S. Safety concerns in some U.S. cities is another issue for Canadians.

In October, I was visiting Niagara Falls with family, on the boat ride to the Falls, and on the way back to the dock we all stood on the top deck, looking at the Americans standing on the dock on their side of the border. There were some waves back and forth, but only a few, in its own little way symbolic of the divide now between the two countries.

Close to half of people asked in another Angus Reid survey said they believe Canada should approach America as an enemy or potential threat. That’s obviously reflected in the declining tourism numbers.

Las Vegas Promotions

According to the latest Harry Reid International Airport passenger traffic statistics, 21,673 passengers arrived to Las Vegas via Air Canada in September, down from 26,278 in September 2024. Same deal with Canadians arriving via WestJet – 20,838 in September, down from 37,207 the previous September, with Flair Airlines at 859, down from 2,019 in September 2024.

Las Vegas tourism people see the statistics and are going at the challenge head on, at least partly to address the decline of Canadians traveling to Sin City.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority issued a news release today detailing casino promotions for Cyber Week, including Caesars Entertainment offering limited-time hotel packages now through Dec. 31 at its Las Vegas resorts ($300 package for a two-night stay at select resorts with a $200 food and beverage credit, or a $400 package for a three-night stay with a $250 credit).

Fontainebleau Las Vegas is offering 20% off rates plus complimentary resort fees on all future available dates when booked between Nov. 26 and Dec. 3. MGM Resorts is offering 30% off room rates plus up to $150 in food and beverage credit at properties including Bellagio Resort & Casino, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and MGM Grand Hotel & Casino.

Whether promotions like these make a difference in the eyes of Canadians is anyone’s guess at this point.

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