For many Canadians, frustration with U.S. politics sparked a surprising trend: fewer trips from Canada to the U.S., with locals choosing to travel domestically or explore further international destinations.

In fact, several Canadians cancelled their vacations, and the number of border crossings from Canada to the U.S. dropped, prompting some U.S. politicians to step in. In April, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a campaign offering Canadian tourists discounts on hotels, activities, and attractions. And, fed up with U.S. President Donald Trump’s rhetoric about tariffs and the 51st state, Burlington, Vermont, temporarily renamed the popular Church Street to Canada Street.

In February, Daily Hive spoke with several Canadians who decided to call off their U.S. vacations in protest. Now back from their vacations, we followed up with them to discuss how it felt to change their plans and what it would take for them to visit the U.S. again.

“It was the right decision”

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Aparna Ramesh is a project manager and business owner from Surrey, B.C. She and her family had been looking forward to travelling to Texas, Virginia, and New York, but ultimately decided to cancel.

“The kids were more disappointed than my partner and I, since they were looking forward to seeing New York,” she explained. “I am convinced that it was the right decision. Supporting our local economy is a priority now.”

With her parents visiting from India, the family decided to “stay quite local” and spent four days in the Sunshine Coast exploring lakes, beaches, and trails. Ramesh estimates that they spent around $2,000.

“I always find that travelling within Canada is stress-free, and we always meet interesting, well-travelled people to connect with,” she stated.

Ramesh said they had wanted to visit Banff, but the cost was “prohibitive.”

“I find that unless it is a camping/glamping trip, proper vacations in Canada can be very expensive because of limited airlines and accommodation options,” she said.

“The Canada Strong Pass incentives were a good idea”

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After cancelling a family trip to California, forestry technician Craig Heinrich set his sights closer to home.

When asked about his decision to cancel their U.S. trip, the Hornepayne, Ont., resident said, “At the time, I was mainly feeling good about spending as little money as possible on anything that might benefit the American economy.”

Heinrich said that along with his family of six, they travelled to Edmonton by VIA Rail, where they met with extended family and explored Banff, Canmore, Drumheller, and Calgary.

“In total, we spent just over $12,000,” he shared.

He said that the family made the most of the Canada Strong Pass discounts on VIA Rail, museums, and tourist attractions.

“The Canada Strong [Pass] incentives were a good idea. All businesses should provide better accommodations for families with children,” said Heinrich. “Families can afford to travel more if these kinds of incentives are available.”

He added that he would only travel to the U.S. if “they reverse course and elect a government that isn’t solely interested in the ultra-rich and big business interests.”

“The only thing I could do given the attacks on my country”

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Montreal resident Justa* was one of many Canadians who cancelled their U.S. trip. After cancelling a two-week, $12,000 vacation to San Francisco, Monterrey, and Big Sur, he ended up having to pay a $600 fee.

When asked about his decision to cancel their trip, he said, “I was sad to have missed taking my family to a spectacular area of the world, but I felt it was the only thing I could do given the attacks on my country.”

Instead, he ended up travelling to London with his wife and daughter, exploring markets and different neighbourhoods. He estimates that they spent $16,000 during their two-week vacation.

According to Justa, there’s more international travel on the horizon for the family: they’re heading to Japan during the Christmas holidays and are also considering a trip to Germany.

For now, he has no plans to travel south of the border “while the Trump administration is in power.”

“It felt a little like David and Goliath”

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At first, Ashley, a healthcare worker from Halifax, N.S., was planning a family trip to Massachusetts. However, as a mom of a teen with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), she was concerned about Trump’s DEI policy change.

Rather than taking an international vacation, the family travelled to Ontario, Quebec, and P.E.I., and also explored their home province.

“It felt good to know we were standing up for our country and our smaller, independent businesses. It felt a little like David and Goliath,” she said, adding that she’s proud of how Canadians have stuck together.

Like Heinrich, Ashley said they used the Canada Strong Pass on VIA Rail this summer. She estimates that they spent around $8,000 to $10,000 in total.

“We’ve always enjoyed travelling in Canada and exploring new places; that hasn’t changed,” she stated. “The U.S. feels unsafe and volatile at the moment, and I can’t see that changing before 2029.”

Next year, they plan to travel abroad and are considering destinations such as Northern Italy, Japan, or Singapore.

“I feel empowered knowing it’s not just our little family making travel changes to fight back,” said Ashley. “I know to others it doesn’t matter or they don’t care, but I do feel like we are making a difference.”

*Pseudonyms were used to protect identities