Canadians cut U.S. trips due to new registration requirements

Many Canadian retirees who typically travel to the U.S. in their RVs are reconsidering their plans this year. Rising costs and a weak Canadian dollar are making it less appealing to head south. Additionally, growing trade tensions between Canada and the U.S. are adding to their concerns. Starting April 11, Canadians staying in the U.S. for 30 days or longer must register with the government and may need to be fingerprinted. This new requirement is causing confusion and worry among potential travelers. Stephen Fine, president of Snowbird Advisor, noted that these changes are making many Canadians hesitant to travel. Some RV park owners in the U.S. have also noticed this trend. For instance, Canadians usually make up a large portion of guests at parks like Bickley RV Park in Florida. Dorothy Brown, a property manager there, expressed concern about the uncertainty from her Canadian patrons. A recent study revealed that 14% of Canadian households own an RV, showing an increase since 2019. However, this year the number of Canadians traveling to the U.S. has declined. Statistics Canada reported a 23% drop in Canadians crossing the border by car in February compared to last year. For many, financial factors are a key concern. With the Canadian dollar weak against the U.S. dollar, everyday expenses in the U.S. have become pricier. Personal safety is another concern. Some travelers feel apprehensive about driving in the U.S. due to rising tensions between the two countries. Businesses that rely on Canadian snowbirds fear the impact of this decrease in travel. The U.S. Travel Association warned that even a small drop in Canadian visitors could significantly hurt local economies. For small businesses in areas popular with Canadian travelers, the loss could be hard to bear.