TORONTO — A recent survey indicates that many Canadians are still reluctant to travel to the United States, despite potential improvements in diplomatic relations between the two nations. This survey, commissioned by FlightHub and conducted by Earnscliffe Omni, was carried out from June 13-15 and included responses from 1,529 Canadian adults regarding their travel sentiments during ongoing political tensions.
The findings reveal that 4 in 10 Canadians (40%) are opting out of U.S. travel because of concerns about the current political climate and overall public safety. Additionally, 36% of participants stated they are avoiding travel to the U.S. as a form of political protest. Alarmingly, one in three respondents expressed feelings of unease or unwelcomeness while in the U.S.
Even if circumstances were to improve—like a new trade deal that would lower tariffs (35%), a stronger Canadian dollar (38%), or significantly better bilateral relations (37%)—fewer than 4 in 10 Canadians indicated they would be more inclined to visit the U.S.
Younger Canadians, particularly those aged 18 to 24, showed more optimism regarding travel, with 47% stating they’d be more likely to head south with favorable trade agreements and 48% citing enhanced diplomatic relations as a motivating factor. In stark contrast, FlightHub has reported a dramatic 19% decline in U.S.-bound flight bookings for June 2025 compared to June 2024. This statistic underscores the direct impact that political sentiment is having on consumer behavior.
“The ongoing diplomatic tension between the U.S. and Canada has left a notable mark on Canadian sentiments, illustrating the significant role that travel can play,” said Ayoub Hissar, Director of Brand Marketing & Communications at FlightHub. “Travel decisions are influenced not only by concerns over safety but also by broader economic and political contexts.”
“For many individuals, traveling represents more than just leisure; it serves as a form of engagement,” he added. “It’s intriguing to find that roughly one-third of Canadians might reconsider travel to the U.S. with improved diplomatic relations, although others may require more time and stronger ties before making that decision.”
