Opinion: Political tensions and border anxiety pushed Canadians away from the U.S. this summer
Global attitudes towards the United States as a tourism destination are plunging. Travel pressures, exchange rate shifts and increasing economic uncertainty have all damaged the reputation of the American travel sector.
Canadian travellers are increasingly turning to domestic destinations instead of heading south. In July, Canada recorded its seventh consecutive month of declining travel by Canadians to the U.S.
Political tensions appear to be playing a role in this shift. U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated remarks about wanting to annex Greenland and make Canada the “51st state” continue to strain relations between the U.S. and its allies.
For travellers, these tensions are one more deterrent for travelling to the U.S. About three-quarters of Canadians say Trump is “dangerous” and favourable views of the U.S. are at an all-time low.
This year, many Canadians reconsidered plans to visit the U.S. for business, leisure or school-related excursions, and some © BIV
