Canadian holidaymakers are increasingly heading to Disneyland Paris instead of the parks in the USA.
Travel agents are seeing a surge in tourists from Canada ditching the huge theme parks.
The agencies, which specialise in Disney trips and other destinations, have put the shift down to American President Donald Trump‘s latest string of controversial moves.
Christine Fiorelli, owner of travel agency Fairytale Dreams & Destinations in Canada, revealed to the Independent how she has found a 30 per cent shift in her bookings.
Those who usually book Disney holidays in America are moving to Disneyland Paris and other destinations.
She explained: ‘Many travellers are still eager for that magical Disney experience but prefer to avoid supporting US-based parks at this time.
‘It still holds a place in their heart, but not now.’
From Trump’s proposals to take over Greenland to various trade disputes, as well as proposed social media checks – there are plenty of things tourists seem to be put off by according to travel agents.
Canadian tourists seem to be turning away from American Disney parks for their holidays
Instead, travel agents are seeing a shift in holidaymakers opting for Paris as they try to avoid the politics
This past year saw a 22 per cent drop in Canadians heading to America, compared to to the year before.
Meanwhile, there has been a 5.4 per cent decrease in foreign visitors overall to the US since November 25, as per figures from the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO).
Avid Disney fan Catherine Norris, 57, said: ‘We’re huge Disney lovers, but given the current political climate, we’re not traveling to anywhere in the US.’
Instead, she’s heading to Europe and enjoying Disney cruises from Singapore with her husband and says it could be another five to 10 years before she returns to the States.
Walt Disney boss Hugh Johnston reportedly said on a recent earnings report that the company was shifting its marketing and sales focus to domestic guests and had less visibility into international earnings.
A new survey, by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) analysed the answers of 4,500 respondents from many different countries involved with the ESTA programme.
It found a third of tourists admit they are less likely to go to America if the social media proposals are introduced, Sky News reports.
Proposals announced by US Customs and Border Protection in December, via a ‘mandatory’ notice published in the Federal Register, could mean overseas visitors would be required to make their social media activity over the last five years open to scrutiny.
This past year saw a 22 per cent drop in Canadians heading to America, compared to to the year before
The plans mean any hint of anti-American sentiment posted online could land tourists hoping to visit the country in hot water with border officials.
If overseas visitors do fall in such a way, the WTTC estimates tourism spending could be cut by $15bn (£10.8bn).
It could also hit a whopping 157,000 jobs.
Some 66 per cent of respondents shared they were aware of the possible new regulations.
