New Hampshire Follows Vermont And More US Places As Canadian Visitor Numbers Plunge 30%, Sparking Tourism Alarm Across Border States

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Tourism in Canada falls by 30% in various parts of the US, including New Hampshire, Vermont, and bordering regions. There is a huge change taking place within the tourism industry of the United States due to the fact that tourists from Canada are visiting various American destinations less than before. This is true in states such as New Hampshire, Vermont, Michigan, New York, Florida, California, and Hawaii, among others, where a decline of up to 30% has been seen.

The downturn became especially visible during 2025, when Canadian travel to the United States dropped sharply. Although certain destinations have experienced signs of recovery during 2026, visitor numbers in several markets remain below earlier levels.

For American hotels, restaurants, shopping districts and entertainment venues, the changing behaviour of Canadian travellers carries important economic consequences.

New Hampshire Faces a 30% Canadian Visitor Decline as Border Tourism Comes Under Pressure

New Hampshire is among the American states experiencing a significant downturn in Canadian travel. State officials reported an approximately 30% decline in Canadian visitors during summer 2025, highlighting the difficulties facing destinations that traditionally attract travellers from neighbouring Canada.

The state’s tourism economy benefits from visitors seeking outdoor recreation, mountain scenery, shopping and short holidays. Canadian travellers contribute to local spending in hotels, restaurants and retail businesses.

The reported reduction raises concerns about future demand, particularly in communities where international visitors represent an important source of seasonal revenue. However, the figure reflects 2025 conditions rather than a newly measured 30% decline during 2026.

Vermont Sees Canadian Border Traffic Collapse Before Showing Signs of Recovery in 2026

Vermont experienced one of the sharpest reductions in Canadian cross-border travel during 2025. Federal transport figures indicated that passenger-vehicle crossings from Canada declined by more than 28% between January and October compared with the corresponding period in 2024.

The downturn affected a state known for skiing, mountain holidays, picturesque towns and outdoor attractions.

However, newer figures reveal an improving situation. Vermont tourism authorities reported a 7.1% increase in Canadian passenger crossings during January–August 2026 compared with 2025. Canadian credit-card expenditure also increased by 18%.

These improvements suggest some returning confidence, although they do not establish a complete recovery to earlier visitor levels.

Canadian Tourism Decline Across the United States: State-by-State Comparison

The following table brings together the reported declines across American destinations. It distinguishes Canadian tourist arrivals from border movements, because these statistics measure different activities.

Note: These statistics combine different reporting periods and indicators. Most refer to 2025 declines, while Florida and Hawaii provide direct 2026 year-on-year tourism comparisons. Border traffic must not be interpreted as an exact count of tourists.

New York Faces a Canadian Tourism Setback as Cross-Border Visitor Demand Weakens

New York experienced a reported decline of more than 26% in Canadian visitation during 2025, reflecting a significant change in travel patterns involving one of America’s most important neighbouring markets.

Canadian travellers traditionally visit New York for shopping, sightseeing, entertainment and short breaks.

Destinations near the Canadian border, including Niagara Falls and communities across northern New York, have particular exposure to cross-border movements.

A reduction in Canadian demand can affect hotels, attractions, restaurants and retailers. The consequences are especially relevant for businesses that depend on frequent short visits rather than extended holidays.

Nevertheless, the reported statewide decline should not be confused with a separate 2026 measurement.

Maine, Washington and Idaho Experience Sharp Reductions in Canadian Border Traffic

Maine, Washington and Idaho recorded notable reductions in passenger-vehicle crossings from Canada during January–October 2025.

Maine experienced an approximately 25% decline, Washington recorded a reduction exceeding 24%, and Idaho saw crossings fall by more than 27%.

These states maintain strong geographical and commercial connections with Canada.

Maine attracts visitors through coastal scenery, small towns and outdoor recreation. Washington offers metropolitan attractions, shopping, national parks and Pacific Northwest experiences. Idaho draws tourists to mountains, lakes and wilderness destinations.

Lower cross-border traffic can reduce opportunities for tourism spending, particularly in communities where Canadian customers regularly support local businesses.

However, these figures include non-tourism journeys.

North Dakota, Montana and Minnesota Face Weaker Canadian Travel Activity

North Dakota recorded a 23.9% decline in Canadian border crossings during 2025.

Montana experienced a reduction exceeding 19% during January–October, while Minnesota recorded a decline approaching 19% over the same period.

These northern states share established travel and commercial relationships with Canada.

Canadian visitors support shopping centres, accommodation providers, restaurants and recreational destinations in border communities.

In Minnesota, additional reporting indicated a 25% decline at the Grand Portage crossing during the first five months of 2026, although the precise comparison baseline was not established in the available information.

Montana also demonstrated encouraging local improvement. Kalispell reported Canadian traffic increasing 16.1% in July 2026 compared with the previous year.

The contrasting figures illustrate how travel conditions differ between destinations.

Michigan Tourism Faces Canadian Visitor Losses as Detroit Reports a 30% Decline

Michigan represents one of the clearest examples of the economic pressure associated with declining Canadian travel.

According to the Michigan Department of Treasury, Canadian passenger-vehicle visits fell from nearly 10 million in 2024 to approximately 8.3 million in 2025.

This represented a decline of nearly 16%.

Detroit experienced an even sharper regional downturn. Visit Detroit reported Canadian visitation falling approximately 30% from early-2025 levels, with the reduced demand continuing into September 2026.

Canadian visitors have traditionally supported Detroit’s sporting events, concerts, restaurants, hotels and shopping districts.

Businesses in Corktown and Dearborn have reported changes in Canadian customer activity.

The decline demonstrates how national travel trends can produce particularly visible consequences in individual metropolitan tourism markets.

Detroit Redirects Tourism Marketing Towards Europe as Canadian Demand Remains Weak

Visit Detroit responded to the downturn by suspending Canadian-targeted advertising in July 2025.

The organisation redirected marketing efforts towards domestic visitors and international destinations, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy.

Its strategy includes partnerships with European sporting organisations and international tour operators.

Visit Detroit’s 2025 annual reporting highlighted more than 100 itineraries featuring Detroit within wider North American travel programmes.

The city also welcomed 15,133 cruise passenger visits during 2025, generating approximately US$5.28 million in reported economic impact.

These initiatives provide alternative opportunities for visitor growth.

Importantly, Detroit’s broader tourism industry has shown resilience despite declining Canadian arrivals, with Visit Detroit reporting improving overall visitation and hotel occupancy during 2026.

California and Oregon Reveal Changing Canadian Travel Patterns Beyond the Border States

The Canadian travel downturn has also affected destinations far beyond the immediate international boundary.

California reported a 20.1% decline in Canadian visitors during 2025.

The state attracts international travellers through Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, beaches, national parks and entertainment attractions.

Oregon also experienced weaker Canadian travel demand. Portland International Airport reported a 32% reduction in Canadian passenger arrivals during 2025.

These findings demonstrate that changing Canadian holiday choices extend beyond short-distance road trips.

Longer journeys involving air travel are also vulnerable to shifts in consumer confidence, travel budgets and destination preferences.

The airport figures, however, cannot be treated as Oregon’s statewide Canadian tourist decline.

Florida Loses Nearly 14% of Canadian Visitors During the First Half of 2026

Florida provides one of the clearest confirmed examples of declining Canadian tourism during 2026.

The state welcomed approximately 1.68 million Canadian visitors between January and June 2026, representing a 13.9% decline compared with the same period in 2025.

The reduction matters because Florida has long attracted Canadian holidaymakers seeking warm weather, beaches and winter sunshine.

Destinations such as Miami, Orlando, Tampa and Fort Lauderdale benefit from this international demand.

Nevertheless, quarterly performance suggests some improvement. Between April and June 2026, Canadian visitation declined by a smaller 4.2%.

Palm Beach County even reported a 1.8% increase in Canadian visitors during the first half of the year, demonstrating that some local markets performed better than Florida overall.

Hawaii Records a 5% Canadian Visitor Decline Despite Signs of Stabilisation

Hawaii experienced a smaller but measurable decline in Canadian tourism during 2026.

Government statistics show that the islands welcomed 252,907 Canadian visitors between January and August 2026, compared with 266,309 during the equivalent period in 2025.

This represented a 5% reduction.

Canadian visitor expenditure also declined by 2.2%, from US$684.6 million to US$669.2 million.

The findings are important for a destination that depends heavily on tourism-related economic activity.

However, August 2026 provided a more encouraging signal, with Canadian arrivals increasing 0.6% compared with August 2025.

Hawaii’s figures suggest that the market may be stabilising, although the cumulative decline had not disappeared.

Why Are Canadians Reducing Travel to the United States?

Several interconnected factors help explain the reduction in Canadian travel.

Trade disagreements and political tensions have influenced attitudes towards American destinations.

Currency exchange rates have also made US holidays, restaurants, shopping and accommodation more expensive for Canadian travellers.

At the same time, some Canadians have chosen domestic holidays or overseas destinations instead.

Statistics Canada reported approximately 23.10 million Canadian visits to the United States during 2025, compared with 30.19 million in 2024.

Meanwhile, Canadian domestic trips increased from approximately 337.05 million to 342.04 million, while overseas visits rose from 12.95 million to 14.27 million.

These figures indicate a significant redistribution of Canadian travel activity.

The decline is therefore not simply about fewer holidays. It also reflects changing destination choices.

US Tourism Businesses Face Revenue Pressure as Canadian Travel Spending Falls

Canadian visitors contribute to American tourism through hotel bookings, restaurant meals, shopping, transport, sporting events and entertainment.

Their absence can therefore affect multiple industries simultaneously.

Statistics Canada reported that Canadian spending on US trips declined by approximately CAD 3.3 billion during 2025, reaching CAD 18.8 billion.

The financial impact is particularly relevant for destinations where Canadian travellers represent a large share of customers.

Smaller border communities may face additional pressure because they have fewer alternative visitor markets.

Nevertheless, declining Canadian expenditure does not necessarily mean total US tourism revenue has fallen by the same percentage.

Domestic visitors and travellers from other international markets may partly offset those losses.

New Gordie Howe International Bridge Creates Fresh Opportunities for Cross-Border Tourism

Detroit and Windsor gained a new international connection when the Gordie Howe International Bridge opened on 27 July 2026.

The bridge introduced additional road capacity and a dedicated pedestrian and cycling connection.

Statistics Canada recorded approximately 134,900 Canadian-resident automobile return trips through the new bridge during August 2026.

The crossing also registered around 101,000 US-resident automobile arrivals into Canada.

The development creates opportunities for cycling tourism, weekend breaks, cultural experiences and visits to attractions on both sides of the border.

However, the bridge’s opening also complicates comparisons involving older crossings because some motorists have simply changed routes.

It remains too early to conclude that the infrastructure has reversed Detroit’s Canadian tourism decline.

Canadian Travel Begins Recovering in 2026, but US Tourism Challenges Remain

Recent cross-border statistics offer a more balanced picture of the situation.

Canadian automobile return trips from the United States increased by 9.9% in August 2026 compared with August 2025.

However, they remained 27.4% below August 2024 levels.

The difference demonstrates why percentage growth alone does not necessarily indicate a complete recovery.

Some destinations, including Vermont and parts of Montana, are recording improved Canadian travel activity.

Others, such as Florida and Hawaii, still reported cumulative visitor declines during their latest available 2026 reporting periods.

The outcome will depend on consumer sentiment, exchange rates, travel affordability and whether tourism organisations can persuade Canadian travellers to return.

What the Canadian Visitor Decline Means for the Future of US Tourism

The developments in New Hampshire, Vermont, Michigan, New York, Florida, Hawaii and other American states reveal an important transformation in cross-border tourism.

The decline has affected different destinations in different ways, with some reporting losses of around 30% or more and others experiencing smaller reductions.

American tourism authorities are responding through international marketing, destination diversification and improved visitor connections.

At the same time, emerging 2026 figures suggest that parts of the market are recovering from the sharp losses recorded during 2025.

Up to 30 percent drop in tourism revenues from Canada causes concerns among the governments of New Hampshire, Vermont and many other states of the USA.

The issue at hand for the USA is not just increasing the number of foreign tourists but recovering the interest of the neighbouring country that has always been home to thousands of tourism businesses.