Increase in Canadian Tourism by 11.8% observed during US travel ban
Mexico is experiencing a surge in Canadian tourism, with a significant increase in visitors from the Great White North. According to recent reports, nearly 2 million Canadians visited Mexico in the first half of 2025, representing an 11.8% annual increase. This uptick in Canadian visitors has been linked to a boycott of traveling to the United States due to the ongoing trade war and perceived hostility of U.S. authorities.
The Mexican government aims to capitalise on this trend, positioning Mexico within the world's top five most-visited tourist destinations as part of the Plan México national development project. Mexico's warmer border policies and the positive reception Canadians experience there have also contributed to this trend.
Mexican destinations such as Cancún, Tulum, Puerto Vallarta, and other beach resorts have become increasingly popular for Canadian tourists. The expanding tourism infrastructure in Mexico, with new flights and airport openings, provides more convenient options for Canadians seeking a change of scenery.
The shift in tourism trends is not just about convenience, however. The U.S. visa and border challenges for Canadians, plus anti-Canadian rhetoric, have made traveling to the U.S. less attractive. Trade tensions and tariffs between the U.S. and Canada discourage cross-border tourism, while Mexico's welcoming policies and attractive tourist offerings provide an appealing alternative.
This results in a historic decline in Canadian tourism to the U.S. and a major boost for Mexico. Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP) announced plans to launch two new flight routes from Guadalajara to Montreal and Toronto by the end of the year, operated by Air Transat and Air Canada respectively. A new WestJet route is also planned for Guadalajara-Calgary.
The Bajío state of Jalisco is using the shift in tourism trends to attract more Canadian tourists, with the opening of several new flight routes. In the first six months of the year, 23.4 million international tourists entered Mexico via airports, marking a 7.3% increase over the same period in 2024. Other international markets contributed 1.77 million tourists from over 230 countries.
Tourism Minister Josefina Rodríguez Zamora stated that these results are a solid foundation for continued growth. Visitor arrivals from Canada to the U.S. decreased by approximately 33.1% by car and 22.1% by air in the first half of the year.
In conclusion, the "Trump effect," referring to frustration among Canadians over U.S. visa restrictions, longer border wait times, anti-Canadian rhetoric, and ongoing trade disputes and tariffs, has collectively deterred travel to the U.S. Mexico, with its welcoming environment and expanded tourism infrastructure, offers an attractive alternative for Canadian tourists.
- The rising trend of Canadian tourism towards Mexico can be attributed to the ongoing trade war with the U.S, leading many Canadians to boycott traveling to the United States.
- Mexico's positioning within the top five most-visited tourist destinations is part of the Plan México national development project, aiming to capitalize on this surge in Canadian tourism.
- Mexican destinations like Cancún, Tulum, Puerto Vallarta, and other beach resorts have seen a significant increase in Canadian visitors due to ease of access via new flights and airport openings.
- The decline in Canadian tourism to the U.S is historic, with Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico planning to launch new flight routes from Guadalajara to Montreal and Toronto by the end of the year, operated by Air Transat and Air Canada respectively.
- The Bajío state of Jalisco is leveraging this shift in tourism trends by opening several new flight routes to attract more Canadian tourists, contributing to the 7.3% increase in international tourists entering Mexico via airports in the first half of the year.
