Saturday, May 10, 2025
As political tensions rise between the US and Canada, a noticeable shift in travel patterns has emerged, with Canadian tourists increasingly opting for Mexico over the US. This growing trend is driven by dissatisfaction with the US government’s policies under former President Donald Trump, which have triggered a patriotic boycott in Canada. In response to Trump’s controversial trade tariffs, border policies, and general treatment of tourists, many Canadians are now choosing Mexico for its friendlier policies, cultural richness, and welcoming environment. As a result, US tourism has seen a significant decline in Canadian visitors, while Mexico has experienced a surge in arrivals, benefiting from this shift in travel preferences. This change highlights how political and economic factors play a crucial role in shaping international tourism trends and the broader economic impact they have on both nations.
Mexico is experiencing a significant boost in Canadian tourism, as more Canadians are choosing to visit the country over the United States, driven by discontent with former President Donald Trump’s policies. This shift is benefiting Mexico’s tourism sector, which has seen an impressive increase in the number of visitors from Canada, while travel to the US has taken a noticeable decline.
In March 2025, Canadian arrivals in Mexico rose by 15.6 percent compared to the same month in 2024, according to the Mexican Secretary of Tourism. This increase reflects a broader trend, as Canadian travel to the US dropped by 13.5 percent during the same period, with road trips across the border falling by approximately a third, as reported by Statistics Canada. The data suggests that Canadians are increasingly opting for destinations that offer more welcoming policies, and Mexico is benefiting from this shift.
Josefina Rodríguez Zamora, Mexico’s tourism secretary, pointed out that these numbers indicate that Canadians are “opting for friendlier policies” when choosing their travel destinations. Many Canadians, dissatisfied with the US government’s stance, are directing their travel dollars southward, preferring Mexico’s hospitality over the policies and actions of the US. Trump’s threats of annexation and the imposition of steep trade levies have stirred patriotic sentiment in Canada, leading to a boycott of American goods and services, including tourism. Reports of harsh treatment toward tourists at US borders have only exacerbated the situation, causing travelers from various regions, including Mexico, to reconsider US vacations.
This trend is not only evident in Canadian tourism to Mexico but also in the patterns of travel for Mexicans. According to the US Department of Commerce, the number of Mexicans flying to the US in March 2025 dropped by nearly 25 percent compared to the previous year. This marked the first year-on-year decline since May 2022. The data suggests that geopolitical tensions and the hostile travel environment in the US have had a direct impact on cross-border tourism.
In response to this shifting travel pattern, airlines have adapted by increasing their services to Mexico. Air Canada and Montreal-based Air Transat, for example, have introduced new nonstop flights to Guadalajara and have ramped up the frequency of their winter flights to popular Mexican destinations such as Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta. This adjustment in flight routes reflects the growing preference for Mexico over the US, with Canadian airlines seizing the opportunity to cater to an expanding market.
This redirection of travel flows has broader implications for Mexico’s economy, which has been grappling with a slowdown. Tourism plays a crucial role in the country’s economic stability, accounting for 8.6 percent of Mexico’s GDP in 2023. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts that Mexico may enter a recession this year, in part due to the ongoing economic effects of Trump’s trade tariffs. Despite these challenges, the influx of Canadian tourists may provide a welcome boost to the tourism sector, helping to offset some of the economic downturn.
This growth in tourism from Canada is also evident in the short-term rental market. According to Airbnb, the number of nights booked by Canadian users in Mexico increased by 27 percent between March 2024 and March 2025. In comparison, bookings in the US dropped by 12 percent. This shift is also mirrored in the hotel booking sector. Trivago reported that Canadian searches for accommodation in Mexico rose by 20 percent in the three months leading up to March 2025. Meanwhile, searches for US accommodation declined. These statistics further reinforce the growing trend of Canadian travelers favoring Mexico over the US as their preferred vacation destination.
Booking.com also reported a substantial increase in interest for Mexican cities, especially in the capital. Searches for hotels in Mexico City surged by 49 percent in April 2025 compared to the same time in the previous year. Moreover, beach destinations like Cancún, Sayulita, and Playa del Carmen saw an almost 20 percent increase in interest. This shift toward Mexico is significant for the country’s tourism industry, signaling that Canadian travelers are seeking out new experiences in places that offer both cultural richness and natural beauty.
On the other hand, US vacation destinations are struggling to regain the attention of Canadian tourists. California, a popular destination for Canadian travelers, is one such example. In April 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom launched a marketing campaign aimed at attracting Canadian visitors. The campaign emphasized that California is “2,000 miles from Washington,” positioning the state as a friendly alternative for Canadians despite the political climate in the US. However, with Mexico continuing to capture a growing share of Canadian travel, it remains to be seen how effective this campaign will be in reversing the trend.
The redirection of Canadian travelers to Mexico is a clear sign of how political and economic factors influence international tourism. Mexico has become a prime alternative for those seeking a welcoming environment, friendly policies, and cultural experiences. In contrast, the US is losing its appeal to many potential visitors due to the current political landscape, border policies, and rising tariffs.
Amid growing discontent with US policies under former President Trump, Canadian tourists are increasingly bypassing the US in favor of Mexico, seeking friendlier policies and a more welcoming travel experience. This shift has led to a decline in US-bound Canadian travel while boosting Mexico’s tourism sector.
The changing dynamics of international tourism suggest that Mexico’s tourism industry will continue to thrive as long as these trends persist. Mexico’s ability to cater to the needs and desires of travelers, particularly Canadians, provides the country with an opportunity to capitalize on the shifting tides in global travel. By offering a warm welcome and a diverse range of vacation options, Mexico is positioning itself as a premier destination for those looking for a more hospitable and politically stable environment in the face of ongoing global uncertainties.
