What Happened

Statistics Canada data released on July 23, 2026, shows that Canadian resident return trips from the United States increased by 9.9 per cent year-over-year in May. This marks the second consecutive month of growth for Canadian travel south of the border. The rebound follows a 15-month period of declining travel volumes to the U.S. during the early years of the current U.S. administration. In May, Canadian residents took a total of 1.9 million return trips from the United States. This volume remains significantly lower than pre-administration levels, indicating a partial but incomplete recovery in cross-border tourism. Meanwhile, trips to Canada by U.S. residents also saw a notable increase, jumping by 13 per cent from May 2025. U.S. resident trips to Canada totalled 2.2 million in May, marking the fourth straight month of year-over-year increases. The overall number of arrivals to Canada by U.S. residents increased by 6.9 per cent in May, driven largely by higher arrivals by automobile, which rose by 4.6 per cent. These figures suggest a gradual normalization of travel patterns between the two nations.

Why It Matters

The data indicates a shift in cross-border travel dynamics after a prolonged period of decline. While the recent increases signal a potential end to the downward trend, the current volumes have not yet returned to historical baselines. The growth in U.S. arrivals to Canada, particularly by road, may reflect changing consumer behaviors or economic factors influencing tourism choices. For the travel and hospitality sectors in border regions, these statistics provide a clearer picture of demand recovery and consumer confidence in international travel.