University of Toronto Study Finds 42% Median Drop in Canadian Visits to U.S. Metro Areas in 2025
Cellphone data tracked by University of Toronto researchers showed a median 42 percent year-over-year decline in Canadian visits to U.S. cities last year, steeper than official border statistics. The drop affected tourist destinations and business hubs alike. Tourism officials in Florida and Las Vegas responded with outreach and currency promotions.
680news.comU.S. metropolitan areas fell by a median 42 percent last year, according to a University of Toronto study that tracked cellphone activity. U.S.
Cities by residents of Canada in 2025. That decline is much steeper than official border crossing statistics suggest. U.S.
U.S. residents visiting Canada dropped 75 percent. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, recorded the largest decrease, with a 65 percent drop in Canadian residents coming home from the East Coast vacation spot in 2025.
Yuma, Arizona, saw a 62 percent decrease. U.S. metro areas that recorded more than a 50 percent drop in visiting Canadians last year.
The University of Toronto study found a sharp drop in visits to major economic hubs including high-tech and financial centers like San Francisco and Houston. University of Toronto researchers stated that high-tech and financial centers like San Francisco and Houston appear to be experiencing reductions not only in tourists but also in business-related travel.
University of Toronto researchers stated that reductions in business-related travel reflect changing travel preferences due to broader economic uncertainties on both sides of the border. U.S. goods and travel since the start of President Trump's second term in office.
Early this year, tourism leaders in Florida reached out to their Canadian counterparts to try and boost travel. U.S. and Canadian dollars through the end of August.
Despite the lower value of the Canadian currency. CBS News reported that the cellphone data reveals the scale of the shift in cross-border movement that began after President Trump's return to office in January 2025. U.S.
Metropolitan areas in 2025.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
6 events- 2025
University of Toronto study records 42% median decline in Canadian visits to U.S. metropolitan areas based on cellphone data
3 sourcesUniversity of Toronto · CBS News - 2025
Official statistics show 25% drop in Canadians entering U.S. and 75% drop in U.S. residents visiting Canada
2 sourcesOfficial statistics · CBS News - January 2025
President Trump begins second term; some Canadians begin boycotting U.S. goods and travel
1 sourceCBS News - February 2026
Visit Florida President and CEO Bryan Griffin states efforts to maintain strong visitation from Canada
1 sourceBryan Griffin - Early 2026
Las Vegas casinos and hotels launch 'At Par' currency exchange promotion through end of August
1 sourceCBS News - 2026-05-12
CBS News publishes University of Toronto study findings on cross-border travel decline
1 sourceCBS News
Potential Impact
- 01
Increased promotional activity by U.S. state tourism offices and hospitality businesses targeting Canadians
- 02
Continued divergence between cellphone-derived travel estimates and official border statistics
- 03
Broader effects on business travel to economic hubs such as San Francisco and Houston
Transparency Panel
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