Despite economic pressures and global uncertainty, travel remains firmly on Canadians’ radar. However, where Canadians plan to travel is shifting. Domestic tourism continues to gain momentum, while travel intentions toward the United States are declining. At the same time, new behaviours are emerging, including increased use of artificial intelligence tools for planning and managing trips.
According to Leger’s latest travel trends report, 55% of Canadians plan to take a leisure trip between March and June 2026, the highest level recorded since 2024. Meanwhile, interest in U.S. travel continues to decline, while domestic travel gains real momentum. Two-thirds (67%) of travellers now say they plan to travel within Canada this spring, up from 49% last year and 54% in 2024.
Travel still matters to Canadians and remains a priority. Spring travel intentions are even increasing in 2026. Over half (55%) plan to take a leisure trip this spring, up from 48% in Summer 2025 and 46% in Spring 2024.
Younger adults are helping drive that rebound. Sixty-five percent of Canadians aged 18 to 34 say they plan to travel this spring, compared with 51% of those aged 55 and older. Men are also somewhat more likely than women to report spring travel plans. Regionally, intent is strongest in British Columbia and Ontario, while Quebec and Atlantic Canada remain more cautious.
However, the more striking change is where Canadians want to travel. Among those planning a leisure trip this spring, 67% say they intend to travel within Canada, up sharply from 49% last year. In contrast, only 14% plan to travel to the United States, compare to 21% in both 2024 and 2025.
That domestic growth is happening both close to home and across provinces. 37% plan to travel within their home province, while 39% are considering travel elsewhere in Canada.
The decline in U.S. demand is not being driven by one issue alone. It comes from a mix of practical, emotional, and political concerns. Among Canadians who say they are less likely to travel to the U.S. in 2026 :
Compared with Summer 2025, safety concerns have become more prominent, and the share saying they are simply not interested in U.S. destinations has risen to 34%, up 10 points. This is no longer just about cost or logistics anymore.
Another important shift in the report is the growing role of AI for planning travel and vacations. In 2026, AI is now becoming part of the travel planning process.
In 2026, 17% of Canadians say they have already used AI tools to plan, book, or manage a leisure trip, up from 10% in 2025. And 31% say they are likely to use AI tools to plan their next trip, compared with 23% last year. Among Canadians aged 18 to 34, that number rises to 47%.
The top use cases are practical. According to Leger’s travel trends report, Canadians are mainly using AI for :
AI is no longer just a novelty when it comes to travel. It is becoming an integral part of how people discover destinations, compare options, and transition from inspiration to booking. Leger’s tourism experts are calling on tourism organizations to make their destinations easy to find through AI-driven planning tools and to provide clear, structured content.
If one segment stands out in this report, it is younger Canadians.
Travellers aged 18 to 34 are the most likely to travel this spring and the most open to every destination type, including domestic, U.S., Mexico, and other international trips. Among Canadians moving away from U.S. travel, younger adults are also more likely than older groups to consider alternatives outside Canada.
Still, domestic tourism benefits significantly from their decisions. The report recommends that Canadian destinations invest in digital-first campaigns built around experiences that resonate with younger audiences, including food, festivals, outdoor adventure, and culture. It also highlights the role of creators, short-form video, and social platforms in shaping travel consideration.
In other words, younger travellers are not just participating in these canada usa travel trends. They are helping define them.
The U.S. is not the only destination facing declining demand. Travel intentions to Mexico are also declining, likely due to heightened security concerns after previous outbreaks of violence, following the death of cartel leader known as “El Mencho”.
Leger finds that 64% of Canadians are less likely to travel to Mexico in 2026 than they were last year, while only 8% report being more likely to visit compared to last year.
So this is not only a Canada versus U.S. story. It’s also about Canadians reassessing international travel and favoring options that feel more manageable and closer to home.
This study is based on an online survey of 1,583 Canadian residents aged 18 and older, conducted from March 6 to 8, 2026, using Leger’s LEO online panel. Results were weighted by age, gender, and region to reflect the Canadian population.
A margin of error cannot be associated with a non-probability sample, but for comparison, a probability sample of this size would have a margin of error of ±2.50%, 19 times out of 20.
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