Business & Finance
New York launches travel discounts for Canadians amid declining tourism and trade tensions
State and city tourism groups are offering promotions of up to 30% off to win back Canadian visitors following drops in cross-border travel.
The short version
- New York tourism authorities have introduced campaigns offering up to 30% discounts for Canadian visitors across nearly 100 hotels, shows, and attractions.
- The initiatives follow a reported 26% decline in Canadian visitation to New York State in 2025 alongside a 28% drop in spending during ongoing U.S.-Canada trade tensions.
- In response to trade friction and tariff disputes, Canadian consumers are also turning inward, driving increased traffic to domestic retail platforms.
Key facts
- Canadian visitation to New York State dropped over 26% in 2025, while total spending by Canadian tourists decreased by 28%, according to the New York governor's office.[Business Insider]
- The Canadian government reported a 25% drop in border crossings by Canadian residents to the U.S. in 2025 compared to 2024.[Business Insider]
- New York City's 'Northern Neighbour Deal' provides 30% discounts across nearly 100 venues from August 18 through September 7, while the statewide 'NY LOVES CANADA' initiative extends deals through the end of the year.[Business Insider]
- Other U.S. travel destinations, including Las Vegas, have launched similar promotions offering favorable exchange rates and discounts tailored for Canadian tourists.[Business Insider]
- Daily web traffic on the Canadian marketplace Common Goods rose from under 5,000 to nearly 15,000 visitors after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced tariff negotiations had failed.[Business Insider]
What remains uncertain
- The long-term impact of tourism discounts on reversing Canadian visitor declines remains unclear amid ongoing tariff disputes.[Business Insider]