Nearly two-thirds of Canadians view the United States as an “unfriendly” or “enemy” country, according to a recent YouGov poll. This attitude has resulted in an equally strong backlash from Canadians. Consequently, 61% are currently boycotting American corporations, which poses critical issues for the fate of travel between the two countries. Even amidst the current climate of distrust, many Canadians remain sensitive to the swelling tide of American visitors. Yet at the same time, they’re demanding these visitors respect Canadian culture and sovereignty.
Representatives from cultural tourism institutions all over Canada are highly motivated to return the favor and let Americans know that they are welcome. But now, with tensions continuing to escalate, some U.S. travelers are canceling trips to Canada. Click through to read this article on the complicated relationship between the two countries, and the state of tourism north of the border.
Canadian Sentiment Towards the U.S.
That YouGov poll reflects a stunning turnaround in what Canadians think. Ordinary citizens by the millions now consider the U.S. to be an enemy. This perception is not mere anecdote, but instead the indicator of much deeper downtrend. A sizable slice of Canadians are becoming increasingly angry and turning to boycotts of American products and services.
Andrew Siegwart, president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO), acknowledged that many of his members are encountering questions from potential American travelers. He noted, “Our members and operators across the province are fielding these types of questions.” These questions almost always center around the idea of whether it is ethical to cross the border in light of what is happening in the United States.
Due to these concerns, fear not! Siegwart confirmed that Canada is still very much welcoming American tourists. “We really are ‘arms open’ to the world and our US visitors,” he stated, emphasizing that Canadians judge individuals on their personal merits rather than political affiliations.
Tourism and Economic Impact
At the same time, American tourists are an especially important driver of Canada’s economy. In the third quarter of 2022, Americans accounted for almost 79% of all international arrivals to Canada. In the course of that time, they spent about $6.6 billion. According to new American Automobile Association figures, it’s a challenging time for U.S. resident trips to Canada. With February and March both down, this is the first time year-over-year comparisons to 2021 have decreased.
This significant downturn has set off alarm bells for Canadian tourism operators. TIAO shared that nearly one in three of its members observed a decline in the number of summer-season bookings from U.S. travelers. Year to year, this drop is quite dramatic. Surprisingly, some Canadian destinations are going to great lengths to lure U.S. tourists. They are explicitly promoting the benefits of traveling in today’s economic environment.
One example, Southern Quebec’s Eastern Townships region, recently kicked off a campaign encouraging Americans to come check out the region. An avid traveler, this American tourist introduces himself in a friendly informative and eye-catching video. He is red-carpeted, too, on his arrival by a French-speaking hotel receptionist. Such gestures do a lot to mitigate those perceptions and demonstrate just how friendly and welcoming Canadians can be.
The Message from Canadians
Many Canadians are understandably incensed by the current state of U.S. politics. Jason Lawton But plenty on both sides favor friendly exchanges between Americans and Canadians. Jessica Langer Kapalka, co-owner of Toronto’s Grizzly Bar, stated, “We welcome Americans as long as they are respectful of our sovereignty and our culture. We aren’t anti-American, we’re pro-Canadian.”
This is a sentiment that rings true with the majority of Canadians who want to keep political grievances out of their personal interactions. Blake Smith, a Canadian Reddit user, echoed this sentiment by advising Americans: “Lay off the 51st state ‘jokes’ and you are welcome with open arms. Have fun, enjoy this beautiful country.”
Many American travelers are still confused about how they can expect to be treated while visiting Canada. As one Reddit user put it, “Are we allowed to go there? Specifically, they were apprehensive about encountering potential hostility or inquisition at the border.
Brian Kirchhoff, a frequent traveler to Canada, expressed ambivalence about the situation: “I just don’t know what attitudes are going to be as the situation continues to unfold.” Such sentiments reflect a deeper fear amongst Americans about their welcome just across the border.
