Now New York Joins Texas, Hawaii, Oregon, North Carolina, Illinois, Nevada, Massachusetts, Ohio and More as the Great Canadian Travel Freeze Chills US Tourism Sector: What You Need to Know

Now New York has joined Texas, Hawaii, Oregon, North Carolina, Illinois, Nevada, Massachusetts, and Ohio in facing a sharp downturn in Canadian visitors this spring, as a combination of strained political relations, a stronger US dollar, reduced flight availability, and rising travel costs triggers what many are calling the Great Canadian Travel Freeze—an unexpected tourism crisis chilling American destinations from coast to coast. With automobile border crossings plunging by nearly 38% and air travel from Canada down 24% compared to last year, these states—many of which have long depended on Canadian travelers to drive seasonal bookings—are now scrambling to recover from a sudden, measurable drop in international tourism activity.

Across the United States, tourism-dependent states are watching their international visitor numbers slide—and none more dramatically than those with longstanding ties to their northern neighbors.

New York: Adirondack Tourism Takes a Hit

In the Adirondacks, tourism officials say this spring brought a noticeable slump. Jane Lawrence from the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism noted declines in both web traffic and bookings—especially among Canadians. “Look-to-book time is strong,” she said, “but actual Canadian traffic is lagging.”

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, eastern Ontario border crossings into New York were down by 26.5% year-over-year in May. While there was a slight uptick in crossings month-to-month, the overall spring figures are still behind by more than 200,000 visitors compared to last year.

Texas: Border Spending Plummets

Texas, a top-five destination for Canadians, has seen a clear decline in border traffic and tourism dollars. Though the state hasn’t yet released detailed figures, national estimates predict that a 10% drop in Canadian visits could cost Texas and similar states billions in spending.

San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas—cities that often see strong Canadian snowbird activity—have reported lower occupancy rates and slower hospitality spending in Q2.

Hawaii: $1.6 Billion in Tourism Spending at Risk

The Aloha State is bracing for what it calls a “slow summer.” Airlines reduced direct flights from Canada, and hotel operators in Honolulu and Maui are seeing fewer bookings from their usual Western Canadian base.

Data from Hawaiian tourism officials estimate that visitor counts are down 4% year-over-year, with a projected $1.6 billion loss in tourism-related spending over the next two years if the freeze continues. Businesses along Waikiki Beach have already noted double-digit declines in Canadian customer activity.

Oregon: Quiet Trails and Cancelled Reservations

In Oregon, normally a favorite for Canadian road trippers and outdoor lovers, the trails have grown quieter. Though the state hasn’t released specific tourism figures, the national automobile border crossing rate fell 38% in May, impacting states like Oregon that depend on cross-border car traffic.

Portland, Eugene, and Bend have seen reduced Canadian license plates and smaller group bookings. Regional campaigns are now underway to reinvigorate summer travel demand.

North Carolina: Empty Beaches and Missed Spring

From the Outer Banks to Asheville, North Carolina tourism has also cooled. Travel and Tour World reports the state is one of several—including Oregon and California—facing persistent shortfalls in Canadian travel due to the exchange rate and shifting travel preferences.

While exact visitor counts remain unpublished, local tourism boards say spring break was quieter than expected. Fewer Canadian families, fewer vacation rentals booked.

Illinois: Chicago Tourism Gets Creative

In Illinois, particularly Chicago, tourism officials have launched marketing pushes like “We Miss You” to lure Canadians back. The state depends heavily on international arrivals, and Canada remains one of its most important feeder markets.

Although statewide figures are not yet available, Chicago’s museums, river cruises, and shopping destinations have all reported single- to double-digit percentage drops in Canadian visitors since February. Summer campaigns are focusing on loyalty offers and air travel incentives.

Nevada: Las Vegas Tourism Slumps Without Canadians

Las Vegas—a historic favorite for Canadian gamblers and sun-seekers—is feeling the chill. Tourism boards confirm that airline seat capacity between Canada and Vegas has been reduced significantly. In past years, Canadians accounted for up to 25% of some resorts’ bookings, but those numbers have dwindled this spring.

Industry projections estimate millions in potential revenue losses if Canadian foot traffic doesn’t rebound before the July travel peak.

Massachusetts: New England’s Cross-Border Charm Wears Thin

In Boston, Cape Cod, and across Massachusetts, Canadian tourist numbers have softened. Officials point to fewer group tours, lower spring break bookings, and weaker advance reservations.

Governors from Massachusetts and five other New England states signed a joint message to Canadian premiers urging them to “keep our historic ties strong,” after data suggested the region had been caught in the travel freeze too.

Ohio: Cleveland’s Rock Hall Takes a 30% Hit

In Ohio, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland reports that Canadian visitation dropped 30% compared to last spring. Tourism hotspots around Lake Erie and Cincinnati also saw reduced out-of-country interest.

With border data showing a 33–52% fall in same-day Canadian auto trips nationwide, Ohio is among the Midwestern states losing out on frequent, casual Canadian day-trippers.

The National Impact: A Cold Front Across America

The numbers paint a stark picture:

• Automobile visits from Canada to the U.S. fell 38% in May 2025 (compared to May 2024).
• Air travel returns dropped 24% year-over-year.
• Total land border crossings were down 900,000 visitors from April 2024.
• The U.S. Travel Association estimates $2.1 billion in tourism revenue and 140,000 jobs could be lost if the trend continues through summer.

In short: Canadian travelers are hitting pause on the U.S.—and the tourism sector is starting to feel the frostbite.

Now New York joins Texas, Hawaii, Oregon, North Carolina, Illinois, Nevada, Massachusetts, Ohio, and more in experiencing a sharp plunge in Canadian tourism as political tensions, a strong U.S. dollar, and fewer cross-border travel options trigger a widespread freeze across the US tourism sector.

What Comes Next?

Many states are already in recovery mode. California, Illinois, New York, and Hawaii are pumping new funds into Canadian-specific marketing. Airlines are being lobbied to maintain routes, and cities are offering perks to bring visitors back.

But unless the political relationship between Ottawa and Washington thaws—or the Canadian dollar gains ground—travelers from the north may continue choosing Europe, the Caribbean, or even domestic destinations over a U.S. getaway.

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