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Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Canadians Are Rethinking U.S. Travel Amid Politics, Tariffs, and Border Scrutiny—and It Could Cost America Billions
The once-bustling border crossings between Canada and the United States have seen a slowdown in recent months, as Canadians are increasingly opting to stay home or explore alternative destinations. Growing unease about America's political climate, the rise of invasive border searches, and the weak CAD dollar have all contributed to this growing trend. (As a Canadian travel journalist and broadcaster, I've found the current sentiment across media outlets tends to be the same: we don't promote U.S. travel.) Many point to the recent tariffs on Canadian goods as the breaking point, creating frustration and resentment among citizens who view these taxes as both unnecessarily punitive and damaging. This economic sting has turned what has historically been a friendly relationship into a politically charged decision in many Canadian households. This tension, along with visible, heated political divisions in American news and social media, has many Canadians rethinking their travels, whether it be a routine cross-border Target shopping runs or vacation planning. Canadian airlines—such as Air Canada, WestJet and Porter—are rerouting previously American bound aircrafts to Canadian destinations, and even shelving Canadian-U.S. routes due to a lack of demand. (Canadian Flair Airlines terminated its flights to Nashville; Air Canada and Air Transat reduced flights to the U.S.; and Sunwing Airlines ended all flights to the U.S., to name a few.) 'We are mindful of the overall sentiment of travelers as it relates to U.S. tariffs," Edmond Eldebs, the chief commercial officer of Porter Airlines, told Travel + Leisure. 'Our goal is to fly where our customers want to travel, and this is a moment when Canada is at the top of many people's list. We are adding routes and increasing flights in regions across the country to meet this demand.' Small American border towns that depend on Canadian shoppers have reported customer drops of near 43 percent, and popular Florida vacation rentals note a surprising number of last-minute cancellations from northern visitors. According to the U.S. Travel Association (USTA), the U.S. states that see the most Canadian travelers are Florida, California, Nevada, New York, and Texas. Canadians make up the biggest group of international visitors to the U.S. and spent $20.5 billion in 2024, which supported some 140,000 American jobs, reports the USTA. What's more, just a 10 percent dip in Canadian travel could impact 14,000 jobs and result in a loss of $2.1 billion. Travel experts believe this isn't just a temporary blip, and signals Canadians deliberately choosing destinations where they feel more valued and their business appreciated. 'Canadian travelers are increasingly interested in summer travel to destinations like Europe, Japan and beach getaways such as Mexico and the Dominican Republic,' Melanie Fish, the head of Expedia Brand Group's public relations, told T+L. 'We've also seen Canadian travelers rediscovering the charm of their own country, leading to a renewed interest in domestic travel. Popular destinations searched on Expedia include Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Toronto, with top trending spots being Tofino, St. John's, Nanaimo, and Gaspésie." For many Canadians, this will be a summer of indulging in our own beautiful country, from British Columbia's majestic Rocky Mountains to the enticing beaches of Nova Scotia's sparkling Atlantic coast. Related | The 21 Most Beautiful Places in Canada | Learn More Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
VIPorter Members Can Now Redeem Points for Flights With Air Transat and Alaska Airlines
More than 2,000 new redemption routes available in the initial launch TORONTO, March 19, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Porter Airlines is expanding its VIPorter loyalty program, giving members even more ways to earn and redeem points for travel. For the first time, members can redeem VIPorter points for flights with partner airlines, starting with Air Transat and Alaska Airlines. Over 2,000 routes are now available for reward travel with this update. This marks the next phase of partnership in the joint venture of Porter and Air Transat, and a deepening of the commercial partnership launched with Alaska in December 2023. With this program enhancement, VIPorter members can now redeem seamless travel across an extensive network of flights sold by Porter. Air Transat offers 1,270 itineraries, connecting 56 destinations across 28 countries in North America, Europe, South America, Africa and the Caribbean. Alaska Airlines provides 1,020 available connections, linking 11 Canadian cities to different U.S. destinations. Redemption journeys on Air Transat to Europe start at 25,000 points; to the Caribbean at 21,500 points; and to the U.S. with Alaska Airlines at 9,500 points. Available flight options are currently on sale through Redemptions can be made exclusively on and through Porter's contact centre. "This next phase of our partnerships with Air Transat and Alaska Airlines gives VIPorter members even more flexibility and choice when planning their travel," said Edmond Eldebs, senior vice president and chief commercial officer, Porter Airlines. "By expanding redemption options, we're making it easier for our passengers to maximize the value of their VIPorter points across a growing network of destinations." With the upcoming launch of the BMO VIPorter Mastercard lineup this spring, cardholders will be able to earn more points through everyday spending, helping members get to their next destination faster. For more information, visit About PorterSince 2006, Porter Airlines has been elevating the experience of economy air travel for every passenger, providing genuine hospitality with style, care and charm. Porter's fleet of Embraer E195-E2 and De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft serves a North American network from Eastern Canada. Headquartered in Toronto, Porter is an Official 4 Star Airline® in the World Airline Star Rating®. Visit or follow @porterairlines on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. View source version on Contacts Media contact:media@ Sign in to access your portfolio
