Inside the Boom: Canadians Picking Mexico Over the USA
Canadians Venture to Mexico After Trump's Policies Deter Visits
Donald Trump's rules have sent Canadians flocking to Mexico for vacations instead of the US. The trend is exemplified by the uptick in Mexican tourism, with some airlines even launching new routes to cater to the demand.
Trade-wise, Trump let Mexico off the hook in his latest round, but he's previously slapped tariffs on goods not covered by the USMCA agreement. This move has affected the economic landscape but has left Mexico thriving as a tourist hotspot.
According to reports, Canadians are deliberately avoiding the US due to political considerations. The number of Canadian tourists heading to Mexico has skyrocketed, with the Mexican Tourism Ministry reporting an almost 15% increase year-on-year in March. Simultaneously, Canadian air travel to the US dropped by over 13% during the same period [1].
Border crossings by car have dipped significantly, with Statistics Canada reporting a decrease of about a third. This trend has prompted some airlines to prioritize flights to Mexico, with Air Canada and Air Transat announcing new non-stop flights to Guadalajara and increased winter connections to other Mexican destinations [1].
The Economic Fallout: Trump Shock Hits Tourism
Mexico's tourism sector could also reap benefits from the renewed interest in the country as a vacation destination, given its current slump. Tourism accounted for approximately 8.6% of Mexico's GDP in 2023 [1]. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted that Mexico will plunge into a recession this year, largely due to Trump's tariffs.
The relationship between Mexico and Canada has deepened, with Mexican Tourism Minister Rodríguez Zamora likening it to a brotherhood [2]. With the current numbers indicating Canadians opting for a friendlier policy and visiting Mexico over the US, it seems the travel ban hasn't been received well.
In Canada, a patriotic boycott of American goods and travel has gained traction following Trump's threats, new high tariffs, and reports of harsh treatment of tourists entering the US [2]. Mulishly, Trump insists his country does not treat tourists poorly and downplays any nationalistic sentiments involved.
It appears that Trump's policies have inadvertently turned Mexico into an alluring alternative destination for Canadian travelers, and the Mexican tourism industry could capitalize on this trend.
References
[1] ntv.de, jki
[2] Financial Times, WhatsApp, Email, Twitter, Print, Copy Link
- The rise in Canadian tourists visiting Mexico is partly due to the community policy, as many Canadians are intentionally avoiding the US due to political considerations.
- Vocational training programs could be beneficial for the Mexican tourism industry as it experiences an uptick in visitors from Canada, aiming to meet the increased demand for services.
- Despite Trump's insistence that his country does not treat tourists harshly, the period of increased tariffs and perceived negative policies has led to a rise in the "patriotic boycott" of American goods and travel in Canada.
- In the realm of policy-and-legislation and politics, the Mexican and Canadian governments might consider strengthening their economic ties through vocational training collaborations and furthering bilateral relations, considering the general-news trend of Canadians favoring Mexico over the USA.
