Recent Decline in Cross-Border Travel

Recent data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection reveals a stark decline in cross-border travel during B.C.'s spring break, a trend reminiscent of the pandemic's early days. With Canadians seemingly avoiding trips to the U.S., the drop in numbers has raised eyebrows and sparked concern among local businesses reliant on tourism.

Significant Decrease in Vehicle Crossings

Last year, the first Saturday of spring break saw a significant 4,728 vehicles travel south at the Peace Arch border crossing. In sharp contrast, this year only 2,200 cars made the crossing on the same Saturday, marking a staggering 53% decrease. The pattern continued with 2,392 crossings on Sunday—down 36%—and just 1,749 on Monday, dropping by 41%.

Overall Decline in Crossings

Overall, around 2.3 million people crossed into the U.S. through land borders last month, a decline from 2.7 million in February 2024. This latest figure highlights the dwindling number of Canadians venturing to the U.S., reaching levels not seen since April 2022 when numerous COVID-19 restrictions were still enforced.

Year-Over-Year Decrease

In February, border crossing numbers revealed a significant year-over-year decrease of 23%, as reported by Stats Canada. Immigration lawyer Len Saunders pointed out that local gas station sales have plummeted by 40-50%, reflecting the drop in cross-border traffic. "We've seen this before during the pandemic, but the drivers today are different," he noted.

Decrease in American Travelers to Canada

Interestingly, it appears that Americans are also packing their bags less frequently for Canada, with a 1.3% dip in air travel and road trips down by 7.9%. Travel expert Claire Newel conveyed to Global News that while some Canadians proceeded with trips that were already booked to avoid losing money, the overall sentiment surrounding cross-border travel has significantly diminished this spring break.

Shifts in Travel Preferences

"There's a noticeable decline in interest in traditional getaway spots for Canadians, particularly those in B.C.," Newel explained. Popular destinations like Arizona, Palm Springs, and Southern California seem to be off the radar this year, leading Canadian airlines to cut back on their flights.

Impact on Duty-Free Shops

Moreover, the duty-free shops along the land borders are feeling the impact of this downturn. Barbara Barrett, executive director of the Frontier Duty Free Association, reported a staggering 80% decline in sales compared to pre-pandemic levels, raising concerns that some stores may not survive through the summer without government assistance.

Future of Cross-Border Travel

As the chilly spring break unfolds, the question remains: Are Canadians' cross-border travel habits forever altered, or will we see a resurgence as the travel landscape continues to evolve? Only time will tell, but businesses on both sides of the border anxiously await brighter days ahead.