Canadians represent around 26% of America’s tourists; out of the 77 million global visitors who came to the U.S. last year, 20 million were from Canada (a figure totaling approximately half of the Canadian population of 40 million). Therefore, should those 20 million Canadians ditch the U.S., the country is in big financial trouble—and that’s exactly what’s been happening. The boycott of the United States by Canadian tourists is being felt hard by many states (some more than others), with a potential $20 billion in lost tourism revenue and 140,000 American jobs at risk, according to the U.S. Travel Association and data from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).

Amid the USA’s unfriendly, unwelcoming perception among global travelers, other nations are avoiding America, too, not just Canadians. A study by Context Research Group suggests Canada is snatching America’s tourists from big-spending allied European nations, who are increasingly choosing to visit Canadian provinces like Ontario instead—edged into Canada’s warmer arms as President Donald Trump’s constant threats of tariffs and the stress of potential detainment or deportation by U.S. immigration officials at the border.

Moreover, some travel officials believe the United States is shooting its tourism industry in the foot further, as international tourists are soon to be subjected to a new $250 “visa integrity fee” as part of Trump’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” which was recently signed into law. The continued waves of what many feel are anti-tourism enforcements by the U.S. government appear to be driving both Canadians and European visitors away when America needs its tourism dollars the most. However, in response to dwindling numbers of Canadian tourists, one U.S. state that shares a border with Canada has taken matters into its own hands, attempting to woo them back over for visits once again.

One U.S. State Is Begging Canada For Tourists

Shutterstock Governor of Minnesota Tim Walz speaking at the rally in Liacouras Center at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, introduced by then-Vice President Kamala Harris

Canada’s U.S. boycott is doing a number on America’s tourism sector; Canadian travel into the U.S. saw a decline of almost 19% over the first half of 2025, according to data from the U.S. Travel Association. Still, some states are managing to hold onto their beloved neighbors to the north—like Maine, the state Canadians want as their 11th province and has seemingly escaped their boycott). But one particular northern American state, whose Canadian visitors are dwindling in 2025, is practically begging for the return of its Canadian visitors: Minnesota.

Shutterstock US-Canada land border crossing point in Grand Portage, Minnesota, MN, USA

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is inviting Canadians to visit his state after the number of people entering via land has decreased dramatically so far in 2025. In a press release, Governor Walz said more than half of Minnesota’s international visitors come from Canada, and his message is clear: he wants them to return.

““We value that connection and the many ways our cultures overlap — from hockey to fishing, and from buffalo plaid to a bold winter spirit. We want our Canadian neighbors know they’re not just welcome here — they’re encouraged to visit and continue our long friendship,” Governor Walz said in a statement in the press release.

Walz’s plea to Canadians follows continued friction between the USA and Canada in the midst of the ongoing trade war ignited by President Trump, who also angered Canadians earlier in the year over his remarks suggesting the country should become the “51st state” of America. Even recently, President Trump told reporters on the morning of 25 July, 2025, that he’s not particularly interested in achieving a deal with Canada, which is one of America’s biggest trade partners, according to the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

Shutterstock Roadway welcome entrance sign to the state of Minnesota, located at the US-Canada border in International Falls, MN, USA

“I think Canada could be one where they’ll just pay tariffs, not really a negotiation,” Trump said. He continued, saying, “We don’t have a deal with Canada. We haven’t been focused on that.” Greater still, all of these comments from the President come at a time when Minnesotans haven’t yet forgotten when Walz compared ICE to the Gestapo while speaking at a University of Minnesota Law School graduation event (detailed in the YouTube video below).

Meanwhile, despite the heat between the two countries, the state of Minnesota’s promotion agency, Explore Minnesota, is focusing on outreach in Canada with broadcast and digital ads in Thunder Bay and Winnipeg to lure Canadian visitors back over the border. The brand’s executive director provided commentary in the press release, telling Canadians Minnesota is “close, it’s comfortable, and it’s full of the kind of experiences that feel both new and familiar.”

“If you’re a Canadian traveler looking for something special this summer — Minnesota is ready for you!” Executive Director of Explore Minnesota Lauren Bennett McGinty continued in a statement.

So, in light of Minnesota’s attempt to wow Canadians and entice their return, how many visitors from Canada, exactly, has Minnesota lost in 2025 compared to previous years? Based on data covering overall U.S.-Canada border crossings by land, an approximate picture appears.

How Many Canadian Tourists Has Minnesota Lost?

The sharp drop in Canadian visitors to the U.S. is evident, particularly when looking at land border crossings, which comprise a large chunk of Minnesota’s visitors from Canada. According to Statistics Canada, the following figures reveal the reduction in Canadians crossing the American border on land:

28% fewer Canadian residents have crossed the U.S. border by car than by this point in 2024 (year-to-date)

than by this point in 2024 (year-to-date) Canadian border posts in Minnesota witnessed marked year-over-year declines in crossings in each of the first five months of 2025

Furthermore, Axios Visuals features a chart that shows the year-on-year drop in Canadian visitors from over the border, with figures counted as of June 30 of each year from 2021 to 2025.

Year Number of Canadian Residents Crossing The U.S. Border By Car 2021 250.6K 2022 5.3 Million 2023 9.8 Million 2024 11.2 Million 2025 8.0 Million

These totals, taken from the Canadian Government, span the whole U.S.-Canada border, but U.S. government data highlights that crossings at Minnesota’s border stations are down by similar numbers.

The noticeably low border crossings by Canadians in 2021 were due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a result, given the above data, it can be estimated that Minnesota (like many U.S. border states next to Canada) is seeing a decline in Canadian travelers into the millions. That could represent a lot of lost tourism dollars for Minnesota and pose a significant job threat to those who work in the state’s tourism sector, not to mention other Minnesotan businesses that would normally benefit from visitors crossing over from Canada.

Since the numbers don’t look that great for border states like Minnesota, it becomes clear why governors like Tim Walz, as well as state tourism brands, such as Explore Minnesota, are desperately trying to win Canadians’ favor and beckon them back for visits once again. Only time will tell if officials’ efforts will be fruitful or in vain.