Business owners and tourism officials in South Florida reported a decline in Canadian visitors and homebuyers following the onset of trade tensions between the United States and Canada. Hotel operators in Hollywood, Florida, cited cancellations attributed to the political climate, while data from Visit Lauderdale indicated a decrease in nonstop flights from Canada to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport starting in April 2025.
The decline followed the implementation of 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports by the Trump administration in early 2025. Beyond trade disputes, stakeholders identified a weak Canadian dollar and new screening and identification requirements at the U.S.-Canada border as factors influencing travel and investment decisions.
In Hollywood, Florida, motel owner Richard Clavet reported that some guests canceled reservations explicitly citing the political situation, though he noted his bookings for October 2026 improved after he hosted events and increased social media marketing. Conversely, Jay Gandhi, owner of Curtis Inn & Suites, projected hosting about 30 Canadian guests for the 2026-2027 season, down from 60 to 70 in typical years. Real estate data from Redfin showed a 30% year-over-year decrease in Canadians seeking homes in Miami and Orlando as of May 2025, with Fort Lauderdale seeing a 21% decline.
In the first half of 2026, nonstop flights to the region's secondary international hub were down nearly 9%, a change that impacts local airport revenue. Stephen Fine, president of Snowbird Advisor, noted that these travelers are increasingly redirecting their spending toward Central America and the Caribbean.
The trend has established a precedent for how trade policy and border requirements can influence consumer behavior across international lines. While some business owners are attempting to recover losses through targeted promotions, the overall volume of Canadian interest remains below pre-2025 levels. The next major indicators will be the final arrival numbers for the 2026-2027 winter season, which concludes in April 2027. Real estate analysts will also be monitoring whether the 21% to 30% drop in home searches leads to a long-term decline in foreign property ownership in Florida.