Canadian travel to the United States continues to generate mixed results. The U.S. side of Toronto Pearson International Airport was unrecognizable ahead of Thanksgiving, a usually busy period for the airport. However, this year, things were much calmer at the airport.
As for real estate, Canadian snowbirds also seem to be selling their homes, while showing less interest in purchasing a new property. This has been the trend throughout 2025, with Canadians reducing their travel to the U.S. despite many attempts to entice them back.
One state has taken its appreciation for Canadians a step further. The governor supported the idea of creating new signs at the border, welcoming Canadian travelers back in with open arms.
Here's a closer look at the signs and what other locations in the U.S. are doing to entice Canadians back in.
Maine Has Put Up 13 Bilingual Welcome Signs For Canadians At Border Crossings
Throughout the year, Maine has extended its welcome mat to Canadians, as travel to the U.S. state continues to decline. Maine Governor Janet Mills addressed the situation, admitting there's a lot Maine can't change for Canadians.
However, Canada's tourists remain welcome, as evidenced by 13 new bilingual signs along the U.S.-Canada border. The signs are welcoming Canadians into the United States.
Maine Governor Janet Mills said of the signs, "I'm hoping that we can put out the welcome mat," she said. "I can't change the presidency. I can't change the tariffs. Lord knows I would if I could change the rhetoric and the tariffs, but ... we're putting out bilingual welcome signs at all 13 border crossings between Maine and Canada."
Mills added that the signs want to make the message clear that Canadians are more than welcome, despite the recent tension.
Despite its best efforts, Maine has still seen a significant drop in Canadian travelers throughout the year. That continues to hold, as the state is seeing a tourism slump for 2025, according to recent numbers.
Despite Its Attempts, Maine's Tourism Numbers Have Dropped In 2025
The Maine Office of Tourism has issued a report on this year's tourist visitors. As expected, given the drop-off of Canadians, overall visitor numbers were down 6% specifically this summer. More than half of that decline has been linked to Canadian visitors picking destinations overseas instead.
Although the numbers are concerning, there are some Canadians who remain loyal to Maine.
According to reports earlier in the year from Global News, Canadians were still visiting Maine during Canada Day and the Fourth of July celebrations. Maine's Old Orchard Beaches, in particular, saw a surge in Canadians.
For one Quebec traveler, Maine remains an ideal destination due to the fact that it's closest to the ocean.
"For the ocean, it's the closest we have," she said. "(Political tensions) should have factored into our decision, but it didn't ... I don't want to support here that much by like spending money here, but I want to take time off, so it's nice."
Still, Maine has seen a decrease, and it'll result in an overall decline in tourists for 2025.
For now, Maine and other U.S. States have kept focus on trying to entice Canadians back in with different offers and friendly gestures.
What The Other U.S. Cities Are Doing To Entice Canadians Back In
There are several different efforts from other U.S. locations. Earlier in the year, we saw an offer from a Minor League Baseball team in Buffalo that paid Canadian cash at par with U.S. pricing.
The Buffalo Bisons website wrote, "In appreciation for the great baseball fans of Southern Ontario ... the Bisons continue their efforts to provide the absolute best value to their great fans coming from Canada."
The proof-of-residency ticket came with a 30% discount, roughly equal to the exchange rate.
Among the more recent attempts to persuade Canadians back in came from Discover Kalispell in Montana.
The new Canadian Welcome Pass comes with perks, including discounts and deals at some of Kalispell's top tourist attractions. Once tourists download the app and obtain a pass, they can access discounts for "curated attractions, retailers, restaurants, hotels and more."
Top Tourist Attraction Locations In Kalispell:
Lone Pine State Park
Jewel Basin Hiking Area
Flathead Lake
Conrad Mansion Museum
Historic Downtown Kalispell
Despite the many options available, Canadians have continued to scale back on U.S. travel for 10 months in a row compared to last year, and it doesn't seem the trend is changing just yet.
The enticing offers will continue to come in throughout the winter, but it remains to be seen how Canadians will respond, opting for domestic and international travel instead throughout 2025.