According to the latest Longwoods International tracking study, 59% of Canadian travellers say U.S. government policies, trade practices and political statements make them less likely to travel to the U.S. in the next 12 months – up from 53% last October, but down from a peak of 63% in July 2025. At the same time, 45% say they plan to visit the U.S. in 2026 with 23% of those undeterred at all by politics.
Of those Canadians whose travel is being influenced by U.S. policies, 73% said that both tariffs and statements by U.S. political leaders were the primary negative influences on their travel plans.
Other key findings:
- In the past six months, 26% of Canadian travellers visited the U.S., while 23% cancelled a previously planned trip. Looking ahead, 56% do not intend to visit in the next year
- 45% of Canadian travellers now say they would substitute a planned U.S. trip with a domestic trip – up from 37% in October. 24% are shifting to international destinations. Trip cancellations stand at 11% – down from 23% in April
- While 88% say the U.S. offers “Lots of things to see and do” – up from 84% in April – only 35% agree it is “A Safe Place to Visit,” down from 43% in April. Just 46% agree the U.S. is “Welcoming of Canadians.”
“Political disputes between the U.S. and Canada continue to be a headwind for Canadian visitation to the U.S.,” said Amir Eylon, President and CEO of Longwoods International. “And the Canadian perception of the safety of travel in the U.S. has steadily declined during the last 10 months.”
Of the Canadian travellers influenced by U.S politics and policy, 45% report they will replace their U.S. travel with domestic trips in Canada, up from 37% in October, 24% will change to other international destinations and 11% will cancel their trips. Those choosing other international destinations are heading for Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean.
The survey was fielded Jan. 8-10, 2026, using a national sample randomly drawn from a consumer panel of 1,000 Canadian adults, ages 18 and over. The sample is representative of Canadian demographics for age, gender and province.
Longwoods International is a leading travel and tourism research consultancy with headquarters in Columbus, Ohio and Toronto.
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