US Travel Boycott Fuels An Explosive Rise In Tourism To Mexico, France, Japan, Spain, UK And Other Destinations As Canada Chooses New Overseas Horizons In 2025: Everything You Need To Know

Published on December 8, 2025

US travel boycott is driving an explosive rise in tourism to destinations like Mexico, France, Japan, Spain, and the UK, as travelers seek alternatives, with the US boycott reshaping global travel patterns, Canada is turning to new overseas horizons in 2025, embracing a broader range of destinations. This shift is fueling increased international tourism and creating fresh opportunities for Canadian travelers to explore exciting locations around the world. As the US travel boycott continues to impact tourism, many travelers are exploring alternative destinations, resulting in a surge of visitors to countries like Mexico, France, Japan, Spain, and the UK. The boycott, driven by political and social tensions, has reshaped how people plan their vacations, with an increasing number opting for countries that offer rich cultural experiences and fewer restrictions. In this context, Canada is stepping up by broadening its travel horizons in 2025, tapping into new international markets and forging deeper connections with countries previously less frequented by Canadian tourists. From stunning landscapes to vibrant city life, these fresh travel destinations are set to offer Canadians a wealth of exciting opportunities. This article dives into how the US travel boycott is influencing global tourism, what it means for Canadian travelers, and which countries are emerging as the top choices for 2025.

In the second quarter of 2025, travel patterns shifted in response to the US travel boycott, as Canadians increasingly opted for alternative international destinations. Countries like Mexico, France, Japan, Spain, and the UK saw a significant rise in Canadian visitors. Meanwhile, outbound tourism from Canada decreased for the United States, leading to a more diversified global tourism landscape. This article explores how this shift in travel preferences has unfolded and what it means for both travelers and the tourism industry in these regions.

Canada’s Travel Trends: A New Era of Exploration

In Q2 2025, Canadian residents took a total of 99.3 million trips, marking an 8.5% increase from the same quarter in 2024. Despite this growth, a notable shift occurred in the destinations Canadian residents chose to visit. Domestic travel within Canada saw a 10.9% increase, while international trips experienced a different pattern. A decrease in visits to the United States was evident, while overseas trips surged, highlighting a growing trend of international exploration among Canadian travelers.

Outbound Tourism Trends: A Decline in US Travel

Canadian residents made 5.6 million trips to the United States during Q2 2025, a decline of 21.6% year-over-year. This drop was linked to various factors, including the US travel boycott, which has created a ripple effect across the tourism industry. Consequently, many Canadians sought alternatives to the United States, turning to overseas destinations instead.

In the US, Canadian tourists spent $4.8 billion, a decline of 14.9% compared to the same period in 2024. The average spending for same-day visits was $125, while overnight trips saw higher expenditures, with an average of $1,312 per visit. The average length of stay for these overnight visits was 7.3 nights.

Mexico, France, Japan, Spain, and the UK: A Boon for International Tourism

While Canadian visits to the US declined, several other countries saw a marked increase in Canadian arrivals, particularly in regions such as Mexico, France, Japan, Spain, and the UK. These countries benefited from the shift in Canadian travel preferences, with Mexico emerging as one of the top destinations.

Mexico Leads the Pack

Mexico became the most visited overseas country by Canadians in Q2 2025, with 471,000 visits, making it a dominant force in the tourism market for Canadians. The country saw a significant rise in Canadian visitors, driven by both proximity and the ongoing appeal of Mexico’s beaches, cultural heritage, and affordability. As US travel became less attractive, Mexico offered a convenient, close alternative.

France and the UK See a Surge

France recorded 319,000 visits from Canadian residents, representing a 49.1% increase compared to the same quarter in 2024. Iconic cities like Paris and regions like Provence became top travel hotspots, drawing in visitors seeking rich cultural experiences, historic landmarks, and world-class cuisine.

The UK, too, benefitted from this shift, with 279,000 visits from Canadian residents. While the UK has always been a popular destination, the decrease in US travel helped boost the numbers for British cities like London, Edinburgh, and Oxford.

Japan and Spain: Unexpected Winners

Japan saw a significant rise in Canadian tourism, with 88% growth, bringing 110,000 visits to the country. This boost is attributed to Japan’s strategic marketing efforts, its role in hosting global events, and its increasing popularity among Canadian travelers seeking a blend of modern innovation and rich traditions.

Spain experienced a 70.5% increase in Canadian visits, reaching 105,000 arrivals. Known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant culture, and gastronomic delights, Spain’s appeal has been growing, especially among travelers looking for a European adventure.

The Impact of the US Travel Boycott

The US travel boycott had far-reaching implications for tourism, and Canada was no exception. With a 12.1% year-over-year decrease in outbound trips, Canadian travelers sought alternatives, shifting their focus towards destinations in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. The US travel boycott was rooted in various political and social factors, including concerns over safety, security, and diplomatic tensions, which ultimately spurred Canadians to explore new travel frontiers.

In contrast to the US‘s decline, the global tourism sector has been experiencing significant recovery, especially in Europe and Asia. As a result, countries like Mexico, France, Japan, Spain, and the UK are poised to capitalize on the ongoing shift in Canadian travel preferences.

Spending Patterns: Where Canadians Are Investing

With the increase in international trips, Canadian spending patterns have shifted as well. In total, Canadian residents spent $20.3 billion on domestic tourism, marking a 13.5% increase year-over-year. This growth demonstrates the continued popularity of domestic travel, despite the rising interest in overseas destinations.

When it comes to outbound travel, Canadians spent $8.1 billion in overseas countries, an impressive 28.4% increase compared to the previous year. Notably, the average spending per visit overseas was $2,435, and travelers spent an average of 13.2 nights abroad. This indicates that Canadian residents are increasingly willing to invest in long-haul trips, prioritizing destinations that offer a rich cultural experience, historical depth, and unique attractions.

Top International Hotspots for Canadian Travelers in Q2 2025

The Future of Canadian Travel: Trends and Insights

As Canada’s travel industry evolves, it’s clear that overseas tourism is set to thrive in the coming years. The US travel boycott has proven to be a catalyst for change, pushing Canadians to explore new destinations and embrace international travel in unprecedented ways.

With Mexico, France, Japan, Spain, and the UK leading the charge, the diversification of travel destinations is poised to reshape Canada’s tourism landscape. As Canadians continue to seek enriching experiences abroad, countries that offer unique cultural, historical, and recreational opportunities will see sustained growth in visitor numbers.

Additionally, sustainability and eco-tourism will play an increasingly important role in shaping travel preferences. As travelers become more conscious of their environmental footprint, destinations that prioritize green initiatives and sustainable tourism practices are likely to attract more visitors.

US travel boycott has led to a surge in tourism to Mexico, France, Japan, Spain, the UK, and other destinations, as travelers seek alternatives. In response, Canada is expanding its overseas horizons in 2025, embracing new travel opportunities and diversifying its international destinations.

The US travel boycott has undeniably influenced Canadian travel trends, fostering a significant rise in visits to Mexico, France, Japan, Spain, and the UK. With overseas tourism seeing impressive growth, these countries are poised to benefit from the new wave of Canadian travelers seeking fresh, diverse, and enriching travel experiences.