Canadian tourists are increasingly choosing to fly over the “cruel and mean” U.S. and spend their vacation money in Mexico.
The number of Canadians heading to Mexico was up 11.8% between January and June of this year, compared to 2024, which amounts to an increase of nearly 200,000 people, according to the Ministry of Tourism in Mexico.
Some of those travelers are blaming their decision on hostility they believe they face from President Trump and his supporters.
“Since the election of Trump and the insults that he placed on our country, 51st state and all of that garbage, we decided that no, we’re not going to spend money down there,” Charles Birt told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, adding that he’s heard of other Canadians being harassed while visiting the 50 states.
He and his travel partner, Merilee Mollard, said they’ll visit Puerto Vallarta in the new year, rather than taking their annual trip to Texas. They noted that they’ll probably resume visiting the U.S. when a new president takes office.
Tensions between the U.S. and Canada arose suddenly last December when Trump began referring to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as “governor.” The badgering continued with the president speaking about annexing Canada to be the United States’ 51st state, then imposing tariffs on products coming over the northern border.
Canadians responded by refusing to purchase U.S. products like liquor. One U.S. alcohol industry report showed spirit exports to Canada are down 85%. Canadian protesters have also taken their frustrations out on the Tesla car company, which is owned by Trump campaign mega-donor Elon Musk.
Meliá Hotels International reported a 22% spike of Canuck tourists at its eight Mexican properties over 2024. Marketing director Sara Ranghi thinks Mexico deserves some credit for attracting new visitors, but concedes that Trump’s rhetoric has created an “opportunity” for her Spanish-based company south of the U.S. border.
“I do think that there is a Trump effect, but I don’t think it’s only a Trump effect,” she told the CBC.
Gov. Hochul said in April that Trump’s approach to Canadian diplomacy is also hurting tourism in New York.
