Canadians are eager to travel, but searching for value outside the U.S.

According to Chris Lynes, managing director for Flight Centre Travel Group Canada, the company saw a 40 per cent decrease (compared to the same month last year) in its leisure bookings to the U.S. in February.

He noted that the company’s leisure brand, Flight Centre Canada, saw a 20 per cent cancellation on preexisting trips to the U.S. over the past three months, with several being rebooked to alternative destinations.

“Canadians are still eager to travel, but have shifted behaviour and now plan to explore locations outside of the U.S.,” Lynes said. “Across the board, we’re seeing a lot of Canadian travellers searching for value when booking (or re-booking) their travel plans. This includes March Break, but our travel experts are recommending caution if Canadians have yet to lock in their plans.”

Despite hesitations, Lynes cautions that cheap deals are still scarce.

“If you’re thinking you can book a cheap trip to a hot U.S. destination like Florida because no one else will be there, you may be out of luck,” he said. “The idea of a ‘last minute’ travel deal no longer exists, with reduced inventory on flights and accommodations leading to higher costs the closer you get to travel dates—gone are the days of waiting until the eleventh hour to score a bargain.”

Lynes continued: “For the 64% of Canadians who noted they prioritize cost when making travel decisions (according to a YouGov survey we commissioned), booking 90-120 days before travel will yield the best possible deals. Paired with an increase in interest in European destinations where the Canadian dollar is strongest, summer in Europe has been the talk of 2025.”

And he added: “Instead of spending more for less on a last-minute spring break trip south of the border, our experts are recommending a focus on destinations where the Canadian dollar goes further. Our year-to-date demand for European destinations, such as Amsterdam, Portugal, and the UK has grown, thanks to increased flight options.”

“Regarding corporate travel,” Lynes explained that “the situation remains fluid. Compared to leisure travel, it’s much harder for businesses to make a hard-and-fast decision to cancel business travel to the US, and this decision may vary per industry.”

And he concludes: “Though tariffs have come into effect, there still remains a degree of uncertainty as to how corporate travel will be effected long-term. Advisors from our Corporate Traveller division are continuing to monitor in order to best assist our clients with 24/7 care, ensuring their travel plans – wherever they may take them – are as seamless as possible.”