Canadians Still Choosing the U.S. for Spring Break Despite Political Tensions

New booking data indicates that the United States remains the most popular international Spring Break destination for Canadians, despite ongoing political tensions between the two countries.

Recent analysis shows that the U.S. accounts for 33% of international Spring Break bookings made by Canadian travellers for trips scheduled between March 16 and March 27, 2026. Although this represents a slight decrease from 36% in 2025, the U.S. still leads all international destinations by a wide margin.

The data is based on round-trip bookings originating in Canada, comparing departures in 2026 with the same travel period in 2025. Tickets included in the analysis were booked between January 1 and March 5 in both years.

While the United States continues to dominate international travel choices, Mexico is gaining ground among Canadian travellers. The share of Spring Break bookings to Mexico increased from 6% in 2025 to 9% in 2026, reflecting growing demand for warm-weather destinations.

Among international routes, the Montréal–Fort Lauderdale itinerary ranked as the most popular trip for Canadian Spring Break travellers.

Domestic Travel Demand Surges

At the same time, there has been a strong increase in domestic travel within Canada. Spring Break bookings for destinations across the country rose 89% in 2026 compared with 2025, suggesting growing interest in exploring destinations closer to home.

Western Canada remains the most popular domestic region, with British Columbia maintaining the top spot. Ontario also ranks among the top three domestic destinations, driven by continued demand for major cities and tourism hubs.

The Edmonton–Vancouver route emerged as the most popular domestic itinerary.

Airfare Trends

Airfare data also highlights different trends between domestic and international travel.

• Average domestic airfare declined slightly from $217 in 2025 to $203 in 2026.

• Flights to the U.S. increased from $321 to $379 on average.

• Flights to Central and South America rose from $677 to $761.

  
  

Younger Travellers Driving Demand

The analysis also shows a shift in travel demographics. Gen Z travellers now represent 33% of domestic Spring Break bookings, making them the largest travel group this year. Millennials follow closely at 30%.

Overall, the findings suggest that while Canadians are increasingly exploring domestic destinations and alternatives abroad, the United States continues to remain the leading international choice for Spring Break travel. ✈️