Canada Shuns Vegas: 2026 Tourism Faces Massive Air Capacity Drop

Recent polling data shows a notable decline in Canadian travel to the US, including popular destinations such as Las Vegas. An Abacus survey indicates that 33% of respondents would view friends and family less favorably for choosing to vacation in the US. The results suggest that travel decisions are increasingly seen as reflections of personal values and identity.

This sentiment is particularly strong among younger Canadians, with nearly half of those aged 18 to 29 expressing disapproval of loved ones traveling south of the border. In contrast, disapproval diminishes among older age groups. Statistics Canada reports a 26.3% drop in Canadian return trips from the US in October compared to the previous year.

Deteriorating Relations

The recent Abacus poll, conducted from January 9 to 14 with 1,850 Canadian adults, reflects growing tensions in US–Canada relations.

This shift was highlighted when US President Donald Trump shared an image on his Truth Social account depicting a map of North America with the Canadian territory overlaid by an American flag.

The reaction on social media across Canada was swift, with discussions centering on an existential crisis. Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed these concerns during his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, emphasizing the need for a new world order. Meanwhile, the Globe and Mail ran a front-page story exploring hypothetical scenarios of a US invasion of Canada.

Increased Boycott Sentiment

The potential boycott of US travel among Canadians appears to have intensified following recent events. Travel agencies are already noticing a shift, particularly in the last few days.

Christopher Whyte of Freestone Travel, located just east of Toronto, remarked, “Sentiment has indeed kicked up a few notches over the last few days with continued White House comments that appear to challenge Canadian sovereignty.” He noted a significant decline in inquiries for US travel, stating that all his current business focuses on destinations such as Europe and the Caribbean, with no US travel bookings for months.

Impact on Vegas

Las Vegas is experiencing a notable downturn in tourism, with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reporting a 7.2% decrease in visitors to the Strip, totaling 35.5 million, a drop of 2.8 million compared to the same period in 2024. Additionally, Harry Reid International Airport saw a significant decline in air traffic, with 450,000 fewer passengers in November, marking a 9.6% decrease.