Don’t Panic, America: Just Because Canadians Ain’t Coming Doesn’t Mean U.S. Tourism Is Doomed

So I’m sitting in the Texas heat sipping something very un-Canadian (read: iced tea without maple syrup), and I come across a bunch of headlines shouting “Canadian travel to the U.S. down 20%!” and “Land crossings down 35%!” and I thought:

“Oh no, who’s going to buy all the outlet mall socks in Buffalo now?”

Let’s slow down. As someone who immigrated to Canada from Europe, became a citizen, and now lives deep in the heart of Texas, I feel uniquely qualified to comment on this little travel drama. While it’s true that fewer Canadians are crossing the border into the U.S. these days, it’s absolutely not true that the U.S. tourism industry is in trouble.

More People Are Still Coming — Just Not Always in Plaid

Here’s what the headlines miss: international arrivals to the U.S. in April 2025 actually went up by 2.9% compared to April 2024. Sure, about 150,000 fewer Canadians flew south, but travelers from Europe and elsewhere more than made up the difference.

Arrivals from non-North American countries rose 8% year-over-year. France, Germany, Ireland—they’re all sending eager tourists armed with cameras, credit cards, and strong opinions about U.S. breakfast portions.

So no, the tourism economy isn’t circling the drain. It’s growing (at least it did in April 2025). Just with fewer toque-wearing visitors for the moment.

2026: A Travel Boom Year Waiting to Happen

And even if Canadian numbers stay soft for a while and overall international arrivals go down (as they did in February and March 2025), 2026 is shaping up to be a monster year for U.S. tourism:

• The United States is celebrating its 250th birthday. That’s a quarter of a millennium of hot dogs, fireworks, and national parks.

• The FIFA World Cup is coming to North America, with matches hosted in cities across the U.S. Expect an international flood of fans, media, and money.

  
  

In other words, the dips we’re seeing now are likely to be completely overshadowed by a major wave of global tourism in just a year’s time.

This Is Where AI Comes In

Now, here’s where things get interesting from my professional angle: AI, automation, and business efficiency. If you’re in the tourism industry—hotels, restaurants, rental cars, guided tours—you should be paying close attention.

The demand is rising, but the workforce isn’t always keeping up. That’s where smart systems can fill the gap.

It’s time to:

• Use AI-powered chatbots to handle guest questions and reservations 24/7.

• Adopt predictive analytics to optimize staffing and manage inventory.

• Implement real-time pricing tools to adjust to market conditions automatically.

• Leverage personalization tech to market more effectively to past and potential customers.

  
  

Whether the traveler is from Berlin, Toronto, or Tokyo, they expect fast service, clear communication, and a frictionless experience. AI makes that possible—without burning out your human team in the process.

Final Thought from a Canadian-Texan Hybrid

I get it. It’s weird seeing fewer Ontario plates in upstate New York. But don’t mistake a short-term travel trend for long-term economic trouble.

International interest in visiting the U.S. is still strong—and growing. Businesses that lean into that trend, and use smart tools to scale their service and marketing, won’t just survive—they’ll thrive.

And if you’re still worried, don’t be. As soon as the snow starts falling back home, we Canadians will be back in Florida again, in full force, looking for sun, golf carts, and maybe a decent cup of Tim Hortons coffee.