Manitoba sees rise in local tourism as U.S. trips decline

Manitoba's tourism industry is seeing an opportunity as fewer travellers head to the U.S. due to Donald Trump’s tariffs and strained relations. New data shows a significant drop in the number of Manitobans and Canadians traveling south in February compared to last year. In February 2025, 116,685 people crossed the border into North Dakota and Minnesota by vehicle, down 18 percent from 142,870 in February 2024. Overall, about 348,000 fewer Canadians returned from the U.S. this February, according to Statistics Canada. Local residents are changing their travel plans. Rudy and Cheryl Giesbrecht, who often vacation in Minnesota, decided to stay in Manitoba this year because of the tariffs. They expressed disappointment but feel it’s important to take a stand against what they see as unfair treatment by the U.S. Joanne Vanderhorst also canceled her planned road trip to the U.S. She and her husband prefer to explore Canada due to the ongoing tensions between the two countries. Colin Ferguson, president of Travel Manitoba, sees this decline as a chance to promote local tourism. With spring break approaching, he believes many will choose to discover Manitoba’s attractions instead. Popular destinations include Clear Lake and Riding Mountain National Park. Vanderhorst and the Giesbrechts are already considering local adventures. They want to support Canadian businesses and minimize their travel to the U.S. during this challenging time.