Many Canadian travellers are having second thoughts about travelling to the U.S. What are the rules around cancellations?
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Have Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs got you second-guessing a planned trip to the United States? Are you thinking twice about maybe spending a week or two in Hawaii or Florida in the near future, or maybe as long as the bombastic, Canada-baiting president remains in power?
Travel experts say there were a few cancellations in the immediate aftermath of the tariff announcement but it was by no means a mass boycott. The one-month pause announced on Monday will likely ease tensions further.
That means the rules around any kind of refund or cancellation penalty will depend on the terms and conditions set out by the airline, cruise line or supplier, said Vu.
Saying you want to cancel because you’re boycotting the destination carries no weight, Vu said, as all the terms of the original travel contract must be adhered to.
“We do understand the way some Canadians are feeling right now, and until the tariff situation is resolved there will be many Canadians looking to spend their dollars in countries other than the U.S.,” said Vu.
However, she predicted: “Canadians love travel and they prioritize it. They won’t stop travelling.”
Given the political mood, it might just be to a different destination — regardless of the temporary reprieve.
U.S. industry anticipated big losses
Speaking of the reprieve, the American travel industry will certainly welcome it.
The U.S. Travel Association said on Monday it was bracing for a 10 per cent decline in trips by Canadians in response to the tariffs.
“Canada is the top source of international visitors to the United States, with 20.4 million visits in 2024, generating $20.5 billion in spending and supporting 140,000 American jobs,” it said in a statement.
A 10 per cent reduction in Canadian travel could mean two million fewer visits, leading to $2.1 billion in lost spending and 14,000 job losses. It also expects the top five visited states — Florida, California, Nevada, New York and Texas — will see drops in retail and hospitality revenue, as shopping is the top leisure activity of Canadian visitors.
The association called attention to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s advice to Canadians on spending domestically: “Now is the time to choose Canada …” he said. “It might mean changing your summer vacation plans to stay here in Canada and explore the many national and provincial parks, historical sites and tourist destinations our great country has to offer.”