Trade tensions mean fewer Canadians flocking to South Florida
The fiberglass moose and welcoming signs outside Richard's Motel in Hollywood, Florida, usually herald the arrival of hundreds of French Canadian guests each fall. But the U.S.-Canada trade war that began on February 1, 2025, when President Trump signed executive orders imposing 25% tariffs on most Canadian imports, brought a wave of cancellations instead.
Owner Richard Clavet, a Quebec native who has dubbed his property "Little Quebec," said some guests cited illness as their reason for canceling. Others were blunt about their motivations.
"You have a $1,000 deposit already paid, you know — you're turning that down if you're not coming. At least postpone it or do something," Clavet recalled telling one caller. The guest's response was unequivocal: "No, I'm not going in the U.S. anymore."
The decline reflects a broader shift in Canadian travel patterns. Visit Florida data showed Canadian tourism to the state fell approximately 15% in the third quarter of 2025, with total Canadian visitors dropping to 507,000 — the lowest quarterly figure since the pandemic-affected fourth quarter of 2021. More than 3 million Canadians visited Florida in 2024, with 742,000 arriving between October and December alone.
The trade dispute, which saw tariffs take effect on March 4, 2025, alongside Canadian retaliatory measures, has been compounded by other factors affecting cross-border travel. The Canadian dollar weakened significantly, reaching exchange rates of approximately 1.39 to 1.43 CAD per U.S. dollar during 2025-2026, making American travel substantially more expensive. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security implemented mandatory facial biometric screening for all non-U.S. citizens on December 26, 2025, removing previous age exemptions and adding another layer of complexity to border crossings.
Economic impact on Florida communities
The drop in visitors has hit South Florida's hospitality sector particularly hard. Canadian snowbirds contribute an estimated $6.5 billion annually to Florida's economy and support over 500,000 jobs in the state. Canadians represented 27% of Florida's international visitors in 2024.
Hollywood and Hallandale Beach, areas nicknamed "Little Quebec" due to decades of French Canadian snowbird presence, have seen businesses struggle to adapt. While Clavet launched free parties and bingo games over the summer, saturating social media with images of Canadians enjoying themselves, his efforts appear to have paid off. He said this year's bookings are strong, with October arrivals exceeding expectations.
Jay Gandhi, owner of the Curtis Inn & Suites down the street, faces a different reality. He typically hosts 60 to 70 Canadian guests during snowbird season, which runs from October through April. Last year that number dropped to 50, and this year he expects only about 30 guests.
The decline extends beyond individual properties. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport saw nonstop flights from Canada decline about 7% in 2025 and nearly 9% in the first six months of 2026, according to Visit Lauderdale, the county's official marketing organization.
Shifting travel preferences
A December 2025 survey by Snowbird Advisor, which offers resources for Canadians who travel abroad, found that only 70% of Canadian snowbirds planned to spend winter 2025-2026 in the United States, down from 82% the previous year. The organization polled approximately 4,000 members.
Stephen Fine, president of Snowbird Advisor, said alternative destinations are gaining popularity. "We're seeing an increasing number of snowbirds going to Central America," he said. "We're also seeing growth in the Caribbean."
The trend has national implications. Tourism Economics estimates that approximately 4 million fewer Canadians will visit the United States in 2026 compared to 2024, potentially resulting in a revenue loss of $4.3 billion to the U.S. tourism industry.
The shift is particularly significant given Canadian snowbirds' deep investment in Florida communities. Snowbird Advisor data indicates that approximately 68% of Canadian snowbirds prefer to drive to the United States, and about half own U.S. real estate. Canadians represented 17% of international homebuyers in Florida in recent years.
Despite the challenges, Fine noted that the United States remains the top destination for Canadian snowbirds. However, the combination of trade tensions, currency weakness, and new border requirements has created what many in the industry view as a perfect storm affecting a tourism relationship that has flourished for generations.
