Trade tensions have become personal for Canada and we're paying a price: U.S. Travel Association CEO

Core Insights - The decline in Canadian visitation to the United States has reached 23% year-over-year, significantly impacting the travel industry, particularly for small hotels that lack international properties to offset losses [2][6][7] - Canadian travelers are crucial for the U.S. travel market, spending approximately $2,000 per person per trip, making their absence felt in the industry [8][12] - The U.S. travel sector is facing challenges due to long visa wait times and infrastructure issues, which could hinder recovery efforts ahead of major events like the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics [9][12][13] Travel Trends - The travel landscape is shifting, with Canadians opting for domestic travel instead of visiting the U.S., while some U.S. hotels are benefiting from increased domestic travel, particularly among affluent travelers [4][6][7] - Other international markets, such as Japan and the UK, are seeing an increase in travel to the U.S., contrasting with the decline from Canada [2][3] Industry Challenges - The travel industry is under strain due to the decline in Canadian visitors, and there is a pressing need to resolve trade negotiations to facilitate a rebound [3][7] - Infrastructure issues, particularly at airports like Newark, are causing significant delays and could impact travel experiences negatively [9][11] Opportunities - The upcoming FIFA World Cup presents a significant opportunity for U.S. travel businesses, with the potential to attract an additional 8 million visitors if managed effectively [13] - Improvements in TSA processes, such as not requiring travelers to remove shoes, are steps in the right direction, but more work is needed to enhance the competitiveness of the U.S. as a travel destination [14]