Canadian tourism surges by 11.8% during American travel ban
In a surprising turn of events, Mexico is experiencing a surge in Canadian tourism, with many Canadians opting for Mexican destinations over traditional favourites in the United States. This shift can be attributed to a combination of political tensions, economic factors, and the expansion of Mexican destinations and connectivity.
The "Trump effect," marked by ongoing trade disputes and perceived hostility towards Canadians, has led to a significant decline in Canadian visits to the US. In contrast, Mexico has seen sustained growth, actively expanding flight connections catering to Canadians, making it a more attractive and accessible destination.
The political and trade tensions between Canada and the US, under the administration of President Donald Trump, have caused many Canadians to boycott or avoid traveling to the US. This boycott has resulted in a sharp decline in Canadian tourism—down 22-37% depending on travel mode and month—while Mexico simultaneously benefits from this shift.
Economic factors also play a significant role. Rising costs of living and economic considerations have led Canadian travelers to seek alternatives, with Mexico offering attractive pricing and value.
Mexico's tourism industry has responded to this surge in demand by increasing its flight routes from Canada, especially to popular and emerging destinations like Cancún, Puerto Vallarta, Tulum, the Riviera Maya, and the Baja California peninsula. Tulum saw explosive growth (+191.4%) partly due to its new airport, facilitating increased arrivals.
Canadians traditionally visiting US states like California and Florida, especially in colder months, are now exploring Mexico’s diverse resorts and beach destinations as preferable alternatives.
The shift in tourism trends is not limited to specific states. The Bajío state of Jalisco is using this opportunity to attract more Canadian tourists, with the opening of several new flight routes.
The results of this shift are evident in the numbers. In the first half of 2025, the number of tourists arriving by plane surpassed 11 million for the first time. Nearly 2 million visitors came from Canada, marking an annual increase of 11.8%. Other international markets contributed 1.77 million tourists from over 230 countries.
The Mexico Tourism Ministry (Sectur) issued a report stating that international tourism via Mexico's airports increased by 7.3% in the first six months of the year. Tourism Minister Josefina Rodríguez Zamora stated that these results are a solid foundation for continued growth.
The United States continues to lead in the number of international air arrivals to Mexico, with 7.36 million between January and June. However, the decline in Canadian tourist arrivals to the US is stark—visitor arrivals from Canada to the U.S. fell by around 33.1% by car and roughly 22.1% by air.
Looking ahead, President Claudia Sheinbaum's Plan México national development project aims to position Mexico within the world's top five most-visited tourist destinations. To achieve this, the industry is planning the launch of several new flight routes, including one between Guadalajara and Montreal, operated by Air Transat, and another between Guadalajara-Toronto, operated by Air Canada. A new WestJet route is also in the works for Guadalajara-Calgary.
These new routes add to the existing flight routes between Mexico and Canada, with Canadian tourists now able to fly direct from Puerto Vallarta to Montreal, Calgary, and in the winter months, Toronto. Two existing Flair Airlines routes - Guadalajara-Vancouver and Guadalajara-Toronto - were launched in May and September 2024, respectively.
In conclusion, the surge in Canadian tourism to Mexico is a testament to the power of political, economic, and infrastructural factors in shaping tourism trends. As Mexico continues to invest in its tourism industry and expand its connectivity with Canada, we can expect this trend to continue.
- The decline in Canadian tourism to the United States, largely due to political tensions and economic factors, has led to a surge in Canadian tourism to Mexico.
- Mexico's tourism industry has been actively expanding to cater to Canadian tourists, with an increase in flight connections and the development of new destinations like Tulum and Baja California.
- Economic considerations have played a significant role in shifting Canadian travelers' preference towards Mexico, as it offers attractive pricing and value compared to traditional destinations.
- The shift in tourism from the United States to Mexico is a significant development in the global travel industry, with Mexico aiming to become one of the world's top five most-visited tourist destinations.
