It’s not just Canadian tourists snubbing U.S. cities. Business leaders are cancelling more trips to America as geopolitical tensions continue

May 12, 2026 - 19:00

New cell phone location data reveals that Canadian visits to major American cities have dropped by 42% compared to last year, a figure that far exceeds earlier estimates from tourism boards and border agencies. The sharp decline is not limited to leisure travelers. Business leaders and corporate delegations are also canceling trips to the United States at an accelerating rate, driven by escalating geopolitical tensions and shifting trade policies.

The analysis, which tracks cross-border movement through anonymized mobile signals, shows the steepest losses in cities like Seattle, New York, and Miami. Canadian business travelers, who typically account for a significant share of high-spending visitors at conferences and industry events, have reduced their presence by nearly half. Industry observers point to a growing reluctance among Canadian executives to travel south amid unresolved disputes over tariffs, regulatory friction, and a broader deterioration in diplomatic relations.

Smaller border towns have been hit hardest, with some reporting a 60% drop in same-day shoppers and diners. The ripple effects are already visible in the hospitality sector, where hotels and restaurants near major entry points are reporting reduced bookings and staffing cuts. While U.S. tourism officials had hoped the decline would be temporary, the new data suggests the trend is deepening rather than stabilizing.