Canadian Travel to the U.S. Rebounds Again

Key Points

• Canadian travel to the U.S. rebounded in April and May, with a 9.5% increase in May, mainly driven by automobile trips.
• Despite recent gains, total Canadian return trips to the U.S. remain 28.7% below May 2024 levels, with air travel declining and leisure bookings growing modestly.
• Younger Canadians, especially Gen Z, show a much higher intent to travel to the U.S. compared to older generations, prompting new marketing campaigns targeting this segment.

Summary

Canadian travel to the U.S. rebounded in April and May, with a notable 9.5% year-over-year increase in May 2026, largely due to a spike in automobile trips. However, overall travel remains significantly below 2024 levels, with return trips still down 28.7% and air travel decreasing. Younger Canadians, particularly Gen Z, are much more likely to visit the U.S. than older generations, which has prompted new tourism campaigns aimed at encouraging travel from Canada.