Published on August 11, 2025 |
By: Tuhin Sarkar
Montana joins Florida, New York, Washington, Maine, New Hampshire, Nevada in experiencing a decline of Canadian tourists arrival leaving US tourism to dust, new update is here. The latest travel figures show that Montana joins Florida, New York, Washington, Maine, New Hampshire, Nevada in facing this sharp downturn. This trend of decline of Canadian tourists arrival leaving US tourism to dust is not limited to one region. It is hitting border states, big cities, and popular holiday destinations alike.
In 2025, fewer Canadians are crossing the border for leisure, shopping, or events. Montana joins Florida, New York, Washington, Maine, New Hampshire, Nevada in feeling the loss of this important market. The decline of Canadian tourists arrival leaving US tourism to dust is being driven by several factors. Currency exchange rates, high travel costs, political tensions, and changing travel patterns are all playing a part.

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For communities in Montana, the drop means fewer visitors to national parks and outdoor attractions. For Florida, it means fewer snowbirds and beachgoers. For New York and Washington, it means quieter shopping streets and border crossings. Maine and New Hampshire are seeing fewer summer tourists from Quebec and the Maritimes. Nevada is welcoming fewer gamblers and conference guests from Canada.
This new update is here to underline how Montana joins Florida, New York, Washington, Maine, New Hampshire, Nevada in this shared challenge. The decline of Canadian tourists arrival leaving US tourism to dust is reshaping travel trends and forcing states to rethink their tourism strategies.

In 2025, Canadian tourism to the United States has taken a sharp downward turn. The drop has been steady for six months in a row, affecting both air and land travel. Some of the most visited US states by Canadians are seeing fewer visitors, and the impact is being felt by hotels, shops, attractions, and local economies. While some areas still attract loyal travellers, the overall trend is clear: fewer Canadians are making the trip south.
Montana’s tourism industry has been one of the strongest in the United States in recent years. Record-breaking visitor numbers and billions of dollars in spending have boosted the state’s economy. However, 2025 is showing signs of change. Canadian visitor numbers have dropped sharply, especially in border areas. This is affecting hotels, shops, and attractions that depend on cross-border travel. The following report explains how Montana’s tourism has performed from 2022 to 2025, where visitors come from, and how spending patterns are changing.

The Overall Decline

Canadian trips to the US have been falling throughout 2025. Both Statistics Canada and US border data confirm a year-on-year drop in Canadian arrivals. In some months, the decline has been in double digits. This fall covers all travel types, including flights, car trips, and other means of transport. It is also happening across many regions. The slowdown is not only about leisure travel; business visits are also lower. The pattern is the same whether travellers are going for a short shopping trip across the border or a two-week holiday in Florida.

Florida Feels the Chill

Florida is usually a top choice for Canadian visitors, especially in the winter months. In the first quarter of 2025, the state welcomed just over 1.22 million Canadian visitors, a fall of about 3.4% from the same period last year. This is worrying because Florida depends heavily on these visitors, particularly snowbirds who stay for extended periods. Booking data for summer 2025 shows an even steeper drop in planned trips from Canada, with some forecasts warning of a drop of more than 70% in air bookings compared to last year. This means that the second half of the year may be even tougher for Florida’s tourism industry.

New York’s Double Trouble

New York State is seeing declines both in New York City and at the upstate border crossings. New York City’s tourism officials expect Canadian visitor numbers to fall by around 20% this year. This is a serious blow because international visitors tend to spend more per trip than domestic tourists. At the same time, the state’s northern border crossings have recorded fewer arrivals. Data from May shows crossings down by about 25% compared to the previous year, and June was also lower by around 21%. The Niagara region, which relies heavily on Canadian day-trippers, has seen some bridges record drops of nearly 30% in crossings.

Washington State’s Quiet Border

British Columbia residents have long been a key market for Washington State, making regular shopping trips and short stays. But in 2025, the number of cars crossing the border from BC into Washington has fallen sharply. Between February and April, about 912,000 passenger vehicles crossed, compared to 1.25 million during the same months last year. February saw BC-plated cars down almost 29% compared to the previous year. This has been felt strongly in border towns that depend on Canadian spending for retail, dining, and services.

Maine’s Summer Slowdown

Maine has reported around 30% fewer Canadian visitors since January. This includes big drops in May and June. In May, there were 85,000 fewer Canadians than the same month in 2024, and June saw just 210,000 arrivals compared to 300,000 last year. Popular summer spots like Old Orchard Beach and Portland have noticed the difference. Fewer short-stay visitors means less business for restaurants, hotels, and attractions that normally see a summer boost from Canadian tourists.

New Hampshire’s Border Blues

New Hampshire, which draws many visitors from Quebec and the Maritimes, is also reporting lower Canadian tourism. Officials say the decline is around 30% compared to past years. This is a problem for a state that counts on these visitors for its ski resorts in winter and its lakes and mountain tourism in summer. The loss of Canadian spending hits small businesses the hardest, from inns and motels to souvenir shops and restaurants.

Nevada’s Desert Dip

Las Vegas and other Nevada destinations are also seeing fewer Canadian visitors. June visitor numbers in Las Vegas were down by about 11% year-on-year, with Canadian arrivals making up part of that decline. Airlines have also reduced the number of flights between Canadian cities and Las Vegas in response to lower demand. This suggests that both leisure and convention travel from Canada are under pressure.

Michigan’s Midwest Decline

Michigan’s border crossings have seen an overall drop of about 11% in Canadian arrivals, with car travel down 18% in March alone. Detroit reported a 13% decline in Canadian visitors in the late winter months. This is significant for areas like Detroit and Port Huron, as well as the Upper Peninsula, which benefit from Canadian weekend trips and cross-border shopping.

Montana’s Gateway Slowdown

Montana, especially towns like Kalispell and Whitefish, is feeling the effect of fewer Canadians coming to visit Glacier National Park and surrounding areas. Local businesses have reported declines in spending, which they link directly to reduced Canadian traffic. These areas rely on visitors driving down from Alberta and British Columbia for outdoor activities and seasonal events.

California’s Coastal Drop

California has also cut its international tourism forecast for 2025, with Canada listed as one of the weaker markets. Early in the year, some cities reported double-digit drops in Canadian arrivals. San Francisco, a popular city break destination for Canadians, has also seen a slowdown. The combination of higher travel costs, currency exchange rates, and fewer flights has all played a role in this decline.

Why the Numbers Are Falling

Several factors are contributing to the decline in Canadian travel to the US. Political tensions, including tariff disputes and changes in border policy, have made some Canadians rethink their trips. The Canadian dollar’s value against the US dollar also affects spending power, making trips more expensive. Higher flight and fuel costs have added to the challenge. Some Canadians are choosing domestic travel or other international destinations instead.

Montana Tourism in 2022

In 2022, Montana completed its recovery from the pandemic. About 12.5 million non-resident visitors travelled to the state. Direct spending reached around $5.82 billion. The total economic contribution, which includes ripple effects, was close to $8.88 billion. Glacier Country and Yellowstone Country were the top tourism regions. Many visitors came for outdoor activities, national parks, and road trips. Canadian visitors made up a significant share in the northwest, especially in towns close to the border.

Montana Tourism in 2023

In 2023, Montana welcomed about 12.57 million non-resident visitors. This was one of the highest counts on record. Spending, however, dropped slightly to $5.45 billion. Rising prices for fuel and lodging changed how visitors spent their money. More people shortened their trips or chose lower-cost options for accommodation and dining. Even so, tourism supported over 48,000 jobs and generated $414 million in state and local taxes.

Montana Tourism in 2024

In 2024, Montana set a new record for visitor numbers. Around 13.787 million non-residents visited the state, a 9% increase from the year before. Direct spending, however, fell to about $5.0 billion, down 8% from 2023. Fuel was the largest spending category, followed by lodging. The average trip lasted 4.87 nights. Glacier Country accounted for more than a third of the total spending. Towns like Whitefish and Kalispell saw high volumes of domestic and international visitors.

Montana Tourism in 2025 (Year-to-Date)

So far in 2025, overall tourism remains strong, but Canadian arrivals have fallen sharply. In May, Canadian visits were down about 38% compared to the same month in 2024. In June, they were down about 33%. At some border crossings, the declines were over 25%. This drop is being felt in communities like Eureka, Shelby, and Babb, which rely on Canadian day-trippers and short-stay visitors. Local tourism boards have started focusing more on domestic marketing to make up for the loss.

The Importance of Canadian Visitors

Canadian visitors are important for Montana, especially in the northwest. Before the pandemic, they made up around 14% of visitors in Western Montana. In recent years, that share has dropped closer to 8%. Canadians often take frequent short trips, spending money on fuel, dining, shopping, and lodging. The 2025 decline is linked to a weaker Canadian dollar, higher travel costs, and political tensions affecting cross-border travel.

Visitor Spending Patterns

Spending patterns have shifted in the past three years. Fuel consistently takes the largest share of spending. Lodging comes next, split between hotels, short-term rentals, and campgrounds. Dining and retail are also important, especially in towns with heavy tourist traffic. In 2024, fuel spending reached about $1.12 billion, while lodging made up about 24% of all spending.

Table of Montana Tourism 2022–2025

Year	Visitors (Millions)	Direct Spending (Billion USD)	Key Trend
2022	~12.5	~$5.82	Full recovery from pandemic, strong Canada share
2023	~12.57	~$5.45	High visitation, spending down slightly
2024	~13.787	~$5.00	Record visitors, lower spend per trip
2025*	N/A (YTD)	N/A (YTD)	Canadian arrivals down 33–38%, domestic focus

*2025 figures are year-to-date and not final.

Why Spending Fell Despite More Visitors

The fall in spending despite more visitors shows how travel patterns have changed. Many tourists are choosing shorter stays or lower-cost accommodation. Inflation in fuel and lodging prices is influencing decisions. Visitors may still come to Montana in large numbers, but they are spending less per trip. This affects the overall economic impact on the state.

Impact on Border Communities

Border towns are the first to feel the effect of fewer Canadian visitors. Restaurants, gas stations, hotels, and shops see less business. Events and attractions that rely on cross-border attendance also face challenges. The loss of frequent short visits is harder to replace than long holiday trips because these travellers make up regular, year-round business.

Strategies for Recovery

Tourism boards and local businesses are adjusting their strategies. They are increasing marketing to US domestic markets, promoting Montana as a year-round destination. Special packages and discounts may help attract Canadian visitors back when exchange rates improve. Partnerships with travel agencies and social media campaigns are also being used to keep Montana on travellers’ minds.
The rest of 2025 will be important for Montana’s tourism. Domestic travel remains strong, but the Canadian market will take time to recover. Economic factors and political relations will play a role. By tracking trends and adjusting strategies, Montana can protect its tourism industry and support the communities that depend on it.
Montana’s tourism from 2022 to 2024 showed growth in visitor numbers but a decline in spending per trip. In 2025, Canadian visitor numbers have dropped significantly, putting pressure on border communities and the state’s tourism economy. Montana’s ability to adapt, attract new markets, and encourage higher spending from visitors will be key to keeping its tourism sector strong in the years ahead.

Outlook for the Rest of 2025

Industry experts now expect Canadian travel to the US to fall by about 20% for the year. Unless there are improvements in currency value, travel costs, and border conditions, the trend may continue. States that rely heavily on Canadian visitors will need to adjust marketing and consider incentives to encourage travel. Building confidence and offering value will be key to reversing the decline.
The decline in Canadian tourism to the US in 2025 is affecting a wide range of states, from border regions to major holiday destinations. Florida, New York, Washington, Maine, New Hampshire, Nevada, Michigan, Montana, and California are all seeing fewer visitors. The reasons range from economic factors to political tensions and higher travel costs. While some states may recover more quickly than others, the overall picture shows the need for targeted strategies to bring Canadian visitors back. The challenge for the rest of the year is to turn these numbers around before the decline becomes a long-term trend.

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Tags: Canadian visitors decline, Cross Border Travel, glacier national park, Montana tourism

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