Canadian travel to U.S. rises for second month, boosted by World Cup visitors to Canada

Canadian travel to the United States is showing signs of recovery, with Statistics Canada reporting a second consecutive monthly increase in June 2026. Return trips from the U.S. by Canadian residents reached 1.7 million, a 3.2% rise compared to the previous year. Automobile travel saw a more significant jump of 5.2%, though air travel experienced a slight dip of 3.8%.

This uptick follows a prolonged period where Canadian travel to the U.S. was significantly impacted by political rhetoric, including trade disputes and threats from the U.S. administration. For over 15 months, a Canadian boycott had suppressed travel numbers.

Meanwhile, Canada itself is experiencing a surge in international visitors. Overseas resident trips to Canada increased by 5.1% in June, with air arrivals up 5.8%. This boost is largely attributed to the FIFA World Cup, which saw Toronto and Vancouver host 13 matches between June 11 and July 2. Air arrivals from participating nations saw a substantial 32.5% increase in June compared to the prior year, with specific peaks noted around match days for countries like Australia, Panama, and Germany.