Canada-US cross-border travel and tourism trends

Canadian-resident return trips from the United States rose to 2.3 million in July 2026, a 10.2% increase compared to July 2025. This marks the fourth consecutive month of year-over-year growth, a trend attributed largely to a low base in 2025 caused by geopolitical tensions. While automobile return trips increased by 12.8%, air travel return trips saw a 1.4% decrease.

Infrastructure developments continue to impact border activity. The Gordie Howe International Bridge, which opened on July 27, 2026, connecting Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan, recorded 18,900 Canadian-resident automobile return trips in its first five days of operation. Meanwhile, US-resident trips to Canada increased by 6.5% in July, reaching 2.7 million.

Despite ongoing political tensions, public sentiment remains largely positive among Americans toward Canadians. An Angus Reid Institute poll indicates that 79% of Americans view Canadians favorably. In Manitoba, US visitors continue to drive economic growth, accounting for 7% of visitor spending despite representing only 3% of total visitors. In contrast, Canadian sentiment toward Americans is more divided, with 45% viewing them favorably and 48% unfavorably.