The Current Some Canadian snowbirds ditch US holiday plans
Dec 22, 2025
Wayne Smith, a tourism expert from the Ted Rogers School, discusses the 21% drop in Canadian travelers to the U.S. Charlie Burt, a seasoned snowbird, shares his choice of Mexico over Texas due to political and logistical concerns. Joan McAlpine-Stiles, who winters in Florida, notes fewer Canadian visitors and community reactions amid political tensions. They explore changing travel patterns, new popular destinations like Mexico and Portugal, and the potential long-term impact on tourism and local economies.
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Longtime Snowbird Switches To Mexico
- Charlie Burt stopped wintering in Texas after feeling insulted by the U.S. president and concerns about maintenance while away during the pandemic.
- He and his wife chose Playa del Carmen, Mexico, as a new winter destination to try a different, warmer lifestyle.
Veteran Snowbird Sees Fewer Canadians
- Joan McAlpine-Stiles has spent 12 years wintering in Florida and noticed far fewer Canadian license plates this season.
- She reports warm welcome from locals who apologize and express gratitude that Canadians returned despite political tensions.
Spending Data Reveals Tourist Impact
- Wayne Smith highlights credit card spending drops of 40–50% in some northern US states as a clearer measure than raw border crossings.
- He warns that lost tourism tax revenue can force cuts to local services funded by visitor spending.