Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed concerns about the impact of U.S. immigration and border policies on Canadian travel to the U.S. He spoke at the World Travel & Tourism Council’s Global Summit in Valletta, highlighting that many Canadians are now apprehensive about crossing the border for the first time. Trudeau criticized the U.S. administration’s attitude towards Canada, particularly remarks undermining Canada’s status as a nation, which he believes has fostered a sense of unease among travelers.
He noted that this change in sentiment is reflected in a more than 20% drop in Canadian travel to the U.S., despite American operators lowering prices to attract visitors. Trudeau emphasized that the relationship between governments affects tourism significantly, underlining that the welcoming attitude of a country is crucial for attracting tourists.
He also mentioned that early bookings for the North American World Cup were influenced by Canadian hesitance about traveling to the U.S., though ultimately the event was successful. Trudeau concluded by stating that countries need to present themselves as open and inviting to encourage tourism.
