U.S. Trade Tensions Could Drive $8.8B into Canadian Tourism
- ClearView Insider
- Jun 23
- 1 min read
Updated: Jul 25
Trade tensions with the U.S. are doing more than disrupting goods movement—they’re changing where Canadians travel. According to the Conference Board of Canada, shifting travel sentiment could redirect as much as $10.3 billion into domestic tourism. After accounting for a projected drop in U.S. visitors to Canada, the net benefit could still reach $8.8 billion.
The trend is already taking hold. April 2025 data shows Canadians are significantly less likely to travel to the U.S. across all income brackets, citing cost, currency, and border scrutiny. Meanwhile, air travel to non-U.S. destinations is rising, and more Canadians plan to vacation domestically this summer. These patterns suggest strong upside for Canadian destinations, hotels, resorts, and attractions—particularly those that can deliver longer, higher-value stay experiences.
For Calgary’s CRE market, this shift supports investment in the hospitality, cultural, and tourism sectors, especially near regional destinations like the Rockies, Stampede Park, and revitalized downtown corridors. While inbound U.S. visits may soften, the net spend redirected into Canadian experiences is expected to outpace any shortfall, giving domestic-facing assets an economic tailwind.
Reference: Conference Board of Canada, “Trade Disruption and the Tourism Opportunity,” June 2025.
Connect with ClearView: Want to understand how changing travel flows could influence Calgary’s investment and leasing trends? Contact us at info@cvpartners.ca.
