Travel to the United States from Sault Ste. Marie is falling sharply, with bookings and travel insurance sales both declining, according to the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA).
“Some customers are cancelling their trips, but others are choosing to re-book domestically in Canada or to European or Asian destinations,” said Nadia Matos, CAA’s external communications manager, in a statement to SooToday.
Data from the first quarter of 2025 shows a 20% decline in U.S. trip bookings through CAA compared to the same period last year. While the U.S. remains the second-most popular destination after Canada, the drop marks a significant shift in travel patterns since President Donald Trump returned to office.
Year-to-date, travel insurance sales for U.S. trips have declined even further—down 22% from 2024 levels. This reversal comes after a period of steady growth in U.S.-bound insurance policies late last year.
The downturn in cross-border traffic is also being felt at the Sault Ste. Marie border crossing, where travel volume has plummeted in recent months. The shift away from U.S. travel reflects both political concerns and changing consumer preferences, according to CAA.
The top five destinations booked through CAA in Sault Ste. Marie dating back to January 2024 include Canada, the U.S., Jamaica, Mexico, and Cuba.
