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A New Brunswick-based tour company has completely removed its U.S. travel packages from the schedule, citing a significant drop in demand due to political concerns and unfavorable exchange rates.
Phyllis LeBlanc, owner of PT Tours, says her company previously ran monthly trips to destinations like Boston and Washington, D.C., as well as popular shopping getaways. However, this year, those trips have been scrapped.
“People tell us they don’t feel comfortable traveling to the U.S.,” LeBlanc explained. “They say they don’t trust Trump and are worried about the uncertainty of what might happen from one day to the next.”
The weak Canadian dollar is another major deterrent.
“With the exchange rate, travelers are paying almost 50 cents more per dollar—it adds up quickly,” she added.
In the past, PT Tours often required two buses to meet demand for cross-border shopping excursions, particularly around Thanksgiving when travelers took advantage of lower prices.
“People used to stock up on things like turkey because it was so much cheaper,” LeBlanc said. “Now, it’s just not worth it.”
With interest in U.S. travel dwindling, PT Tours has shifted focus to domestic destinations.
“For example, trips to Magdalen Islands and Îles-de-la-Madeleine are so popular that we’ve already booked two buses and may add a third,” LeBlanc said. “And instead of shopping trips to the U.S., we’re taking travelers to Montreal.”
Fortunately, LeBlanc was able to cancel her U.S. reservations without penalties, making the transition financially smooth.
“The demand just isn’t there anymore,” she said. “So there’s no reason to keep offering those trips.”
She believes the shift toward Canadian travel may become a long-term trend as more people develop a habit of supporting local businesses.
“When you start buying local, you realize the value, and you’re less likely to go back,” she said.
Travel Trends Reflect a Broader Shift
The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) has also noticed a downturn in U.S. travel interest. While already-booked trips are still taking place, new reservations have declined.
“We’ve seen about a 10% drop in U.S. bookings compared to previous years,” said Julia Kent, a spokesperson for CAA. “Most people who already booked aren’t canceling, but they’re hesitant to make new plans.”
Kent anticipates that U.S. cruise bookings for 2025 may be hit even harder.
“Since fewer people have booked in advance, we expect a more noticeable decline in demand,” she said.
To address these concerns, CAA is actively promoting Canadian travel options.
“Many Canadians feel uneasy about visiting the U.S., even if they don’t have any travel restrictions,” Kent said. “There’s a growing perception that they’re not as welcome, and with potential policy changes on the horizon, that hesitation is increasing.”
If this trend continues, Kent believes tour operators may further reduce—or even eliminate—certain U.S. travel offerings in response to shifting traveler preferences.
