Recent border statistics indicate that more Canadians are returning home from international trips than from visits to the United States. Yahoo!
More Canadians returned home from overseas destinations by air than from the United States by car for the second month in a row, according to new border-crossing figures released by Statistics Canada.
In February 2026, about 1.3 million Canadian residents arrived from overseas by air, while roughly 1.0 million returned from the United States by automobile. The numbers show a clear shift in travel patterns among Canadians.
While Canadians continue to travel internationally, fewer appear interested in visiting the United States compared with previous years.
Survey Shows Canadians Losing Interest in U.S. Trips
A recent survey conducted for CTV News offers insight into the changing trend. The poll found that 43 percent of Canadians say they are less likely to travel to the United States in 2026 compared with last year.
Another 38 percent said they generally do not vacation in the United States at all. Only four percent reported that they plan to spend more leisure time south of the border.
The findings suggest that many Canadians now consider other destinations instead of the United States when planning holidays.
Pollster Explains Canadians’ Changing Travel Choices
Pollster Nik Nanos shared his thoughts on the results, noting that many Canadians have moved away from the idea of visiting the United States.
“For many Canadians, the U.S. is not on the radar in terms of a travel destination.”
He also pointed to broader concerns that may influence these decisions.
“Canadians are boycotting American goods and services. They’re trying to … send a message to the United States, in terms of their anxiety and displeasure, in terms of the state of the trade relationship,” he added. “I think the reality is, there are a lot of options for Canadians when it comes to where they have a vacation.”
His comments highlight how travel decisions can reflect wider public attitudes and economic concerns.
Overseas Trips Rise While U.S. Travel Drops
The latest figures reveal that travel from overseas continues to grow. Canadians returning from international destinations rose 7.2 percent in February 2026 compared with the same month last year.
At the same time, travel between Canada and the United States declined.
Return trips by Canadians from the United States fell sharply, with automobile travel dropping 12.9 percent and air travel declining 17.6 percent compared with February 2025.
These numbers point to a noticeable slowdown in cross-border travel to the United States.
Visitors Continue Arriving in Canada
While fewer Canadians travel south, visitors from the United States and overseas continue to arrive in Canada.
In February, 720,400 American residents entered Canada by automobile, an increase of 6.4 percent compared with the previous year. Another 239,200 arrived by air, marking a 4.9 percent rise.
Canada also welcomed more travellers from overseas. About 288,500 international visitors arrived in February, which represents a 10.5 percent increase from February 2025.
These numbers suggest that Canada remains an attractive destination for visitors from around the world.
Travel Preferences Continue to Shift
The latest statistics show how Canadian travel preferences continue to evolve. Many Canadians still enjoy travelling, but they increasingly choose destinations outside the United States.
As more travellers explore international locations, tourism patterns across the country may continue to change in the months ahead.
