A travel agent in Cambridge, Ont., says while her clients aren’t changing their plans for U. S. trips during March break next week, those thinking about vacations later this year are rethinking where they want to go.
“Clients, people are feeling attacked. We’re feeling threatened,” Jessica Malcew, a travel agent at Timeless Tales Travel, told Cambridge Chronicle. “They want to make sure that … they’re supporting Canadian, or they’re staying home.”
Disney is a popular destination for many Canadian families, but Cambridge-based travel agent Jessica Malcew says her clients are weighing their options more carefully now, like cutting down the time spent there. (Ted Shaffrey, File/The Associated Press)
Malcew, who specializes in Disney vacations, mentioned that her agency is noticing a change in how people plan their trips.
“Instead of them going [to Disney] for a week, they’re going for four to five days. We’re definitely seeing a shrink,” she said.
“We have seen an increase in clients who are looking at all-inclusive destinations like Mexico, Dominican Republic, and who are cruising instead, as well.”
‘We’ve really had to pivot’: travel agent
After pausing for about a month, U. S. President Donald Trump put a 25 per cent tariff on most goods from Canada starting Tuesday.
Since then, Malcew said some clients have told her they want to avoid traveling to the U. S. altogether. One even emailed saying they’re “going to hold off on doing any more research on trips to Florida because of the tariffs that came into effect.”
HS Chris Choi, a professor at the University of Guelph’s School of Hospitality, Food and Tourism Management, wrote in an email to Cambridge Chronicle that political tensions between Canada and the U. S. have changed how Canadians feel about traveling south.
“Industry experts have observed that the heightened political tension is prompting Canadians to rethink their travel plans, with many favouring local or non-U. S. destinations over the traditional American trips they once preferred,” he said.
This shift is something Malcew’s Disney-focused agency has had to deal with directly.
“We’ve really had to pivot and make sure that we’re flexible and providing clients with the information they need to know that we don’t just book Disney. We can also book your Royal Caribbean cruise, which is Canadian dollars, or we can get you to that all-inclusive destination also in Canadian dollars.”
Different than Trump’s first term
Choi noted that “aggressive political rhetoric” from the U. S. has made Canadian travelers uneasy across the country.
“In regions like Quebec, surveys indicate that nearly half of those who initially planned to travel to the U. S. now opt for domestic or alternative international destinations.”
This mood shift isn’t just limited to Quebec – other provinces are noticing it too.
Mc Kenzie Mc Millan from a Vancouver-based travel group told Cambridge Chronicle that even before tariffs officially kicked in people were avoiding trips south because of talk around them.
“We certainly saw it during the first Trump presidency, with Canadians mostly anecdotally saying that they were planning on avoiding the U. S.,” Mc Millan said.
“But this time definitely feels different. This has been a much more tangible reaction from clients who are actually outright cancelling trips and rearranging their plans. This is something that we haven’t seen before to this extent.”
Bigger interest in staying local
While Malcew hasn’t noticed more local travel specifically for March break yet she said lots of clients mention wanting their vacation money spent inside Canada down the road.
Choi shared similar observations from Waterloo area trends.
“I’ve observed a robust rebound in local tourism throughout the Waterloo region and Wellington County , with hotel occupancy rates and event participation nearly returning to pre-pandemic levels , ” he said.
“Families and groups are increasingly taking advantage of the region’s rich cultural events , outdoor experiences , and unique attractions … without needing long-distance travel. “
Choi thinks these changes might stick around even after tariffs get sorted out.
“Suppose current political and economic uncertainties persist. In that case , there’s strong likelihood Canadians will keep preferring local or other international spots rather than jumping back into traditional American trips ,” he added.
‘Big hit’ felt by agents
With fewer Canadians picking U. S. trips over March break , Malcew says there’s been knock-on effects too.
“Flights have been changing – West Jet’s cutting back flights heading down Florida way ,” she explained. “Other airlines seem ready follow along.”
She gets why folks don’t want their money going south but points out it hits independent contractors & agents hard too.
“Clients will see it as , ‘We’re not giving money straight away to this American corporation,’ which is 100 per cent true,” she said. “But then it’s also hurting Canadians as well.”
“We all live here in Canada , work here & pay Canadian taxes so we’re seeing quite big impact.”
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