‘Stay in Canada trend is there’: Canadians rethink summer travel as costs rise, U.S. demand declines

Air Canada and WestJet kiosk inside London International Airport in London, Ont. on April 22, 2026. (Reta Ismail/CTV News London)

With summer just around the corner, many Canadians are planning their vacations but shifting travel patterns and rising costs are changing where and how, they go.

A new survey from Leger suggests Canadians are pulling back from travel to the United States, driven by a mix of political, economic and safety concerns.

Among those less likely to travel south of the border in 2026, 67 per cent cite political tensions between Canada and the U.S., 61 per cent point to tariffs and trade issues, and nearly 60 per cent say they no longer feel safe travelling there. Nearly half say they do not feel welcome, while 39 per cent cite the weak Canadian dollar.

Andrew Enns, executive vice-president of Leger Central Canada, says the political climate remains a key factor.

“Highest factor is still really some of that more, I would suggest the political environment, that’s getting people, you know, concern. I think there’s still people (who) haven’t forgotten or forgiven Mr. Trump in some of the things he said about Canada or some of his associates,” he said.

Instead, more Canadians are choosing to travel within the country.

“The stay in Canada trend is there. And in fact, I you know, I would suggest that there’s a bit of evidence because the airlines, recently announced that they’re canceling some flights temporarily, maybe for the summer. And those flights were going, into the US predominantly,” Enns said.

Airlines are also adjusting to rising costs. Transat A.T. Inc., which owns Air Transat, says it is cutting hundreds of flights this summer due to soaring jet fuel prices linked to the war in Iran. The company says it will reduce capacity by six per cent from May through October, covering the peak travel season.

Despite the pressures, interest in travel remains strong.

“We’re seeing even a little bit of a pickup of people wanting to get out and travel. And certainly, we’re seeing, you know, that that pickup in that interest to travel again within the country,” Enns said.

For some travellers, cost remains the deciding factor.

“We do consider travelling the summertime usually Europe, but even the United States, it usually depends on where we can find the best deal… we typically make our budget anyways to have trips throughout the year. So, we just account for it and do what we got to do for our family,” said traveller Peter Papantonis.

In London, Ont., the shift toward domestic travel is being reflected at the airport.

London International Airport is expanding its seasonal service for the summer, adding five daily Air Canada flights to Toronto, up to three daily WestJet flights to Calgary, and new WestJet service to Winnipeg three times a week.

Airport CEO Scott McFadzean says flying locally can help travellers save money.

“Being able to travel right from home, save money on gas, save money on parking, maybe a hotel night or two. It all adds up at the end of the day. So there is a lot of good options to save some money by flying right here from home,” he said.

With travel demand shifting and costs climbing, industry experts say flexibility and staying closer to home, may be key for Canadians looking to get away this summer.