Both ACTA and CATO strongly criticize the tariffs imposed on Canadian imports by U.S. President Donald Trump, arguing they “profoundly harm” both country’s economies and damage the livelihood of Canadian travel advisors.
“ACTA is extremely concerned about the illegal tariff measures imposed by the United States today,” the association said in a statement on 04MAR. “These tariffs will profoundly harm both the American and Canadian economies, and we call for all our Canadian and American travel industry colleagues to demand their immediate withdrawal.
“Travel between our countries contributes billions to both economies,” ACTA said. “Travel is now at risk, and we are already seeing signs that demand for U.S. destinations by Canadians is decreasing.”
“Thousands of jobs are at risk, and without swift and decisive action, the consequences will only worsen,” CATO said in a statement. “We cannot afford to stay silent.”
Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke on the phone on 05MAR. The Trump administration later said that automobiles and auto parts would be exempt from the tariffs for another 30 days, but that doesn't lessen the impact that tariffs will have on prices for other goods and services that will impact the travel industry.
Advisors at Risk
“The tariffs will have significant economic consequences, making goods and services more expensive on both sides of the border,” ACTA said. “In particular, the Canadian dollar will fall even more against the U.S. currency, further weakening Canadians’ buying power and appetite for travel.
“If these tariffs are not short-lived the direct impact on Canadians' purchasing power will significantly harm travel advisors as their clients delay or cancel travel plans due to financial constraints,” the association stated.
ACTA's Response & Advocacy
ACTA said it has been joining weekly meetings with the federal government over the past month and will continue vigorously advocating.
“We are currently assessing the full impact of these tariffs as the situation unfolds and will be communicating with members on a timely basis through our various communication channels – member advisories, media releases, ACTA social channels and live information sessions. Should the tariffs remain in place, we will be moving to monthly townhall updates.”
Practical Steps: Actions You Can Take
ACTA said individual travel advisors can make their voices heard:
- If you normally book travel to the United States, write directly to state senators about how much business you sell to their state, how these tariffs are risking this valuable economic activity and ask them to advocate to have these tariffs removed. Senator contact information is available here: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
- Voice your opposition to these tariffs on social media, clearly articulating how they will impact your business and your clients. Refrain from derogatory comments, just state the facts and reiterate that Americans have been our allies, friends and neighbours for decades.
- Share concrete examples with ACTA about how these tariffs are affecting your bookings and business operations so we can strengthen our advocacy efforts. Please email Avery Campbell, Director of Advocacy and Industry Relations, at acampbell@acta.ca. We are particularly interested in learning about changes to future bookings to the US and how your business is being impacted, and ideas for support that governments can provide.
CATO Reacts to Tariffs: No Time to Waste
CATO president Jean Hebert said in his statement that “the time to act is now.”
“The tariffs imposed by the Trump administration have already caused significant damage, not just in the tourism industry, but across every economic sector,” CATO said. “As for the vital tourism sectors of both the United States and Canada, the costs are being felt across the industry, from hotels and restaurants to travel agencies, tour operators, and transportation services. Thousands of jobs are at risk, and without swift and decisive action, the consequences will only worsen.”
Hebert said the tourism industry alone supports millions of jobs and generates billions of dollars in revenue for both nations.
“The ripple effect of these trade barriers is already disrupting the flow of tourists, leading to fewer cross-border visits, lost revenue, and a decline in the economic vitality of tourism-related sectors. It’s time for us to make our voices heard, and louder.
“We call on every individual, every association, and every business in the tourism sector to join together and stand up against these damaging tariffs. This is a fight to protect thousands of jobs in every part of the tourism industry, from hospitality and transport to entertainment and retail. These tariffs are not just a political issue; they are a real threat to the economic health of our communities.”
Suggested CATO Actions
- Raise Awareness: Share the facts about the impact of these tariffs on your community and the tourism sector. Educate your customers, colleagues, and partners about how these trade barriers harm jobs and businesses.
- Speak Out: Use your platforms – from social media to industry forums – to voice your opposition to these tariffs. Whether you are a business owner, a worker, or a consumer, your voice matters.
- Join Forces: Collaborate with industry associations, chambers of commerce, and advocacy groups that are working to reverse the tariffs. Together, we are stronger and can amplify our collective message.
- Engage Policymakers: Contact local and national representatives to express your concerns. Urge them to protect the tourism industry by pushing for the removal of tariffs and the restoration of fair, free trade between the U.S. and Canada.
- Support Tourism-Friendly Policies: Advocate for policies that encourage travel and tourism between the U.S. and Canada. Remind lawmakers that tourism is not a luxury – it is a critical economic engine that creates jobs and drives prosperity for millions of people.
Tourism Experts React
The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) said it is “advocating for meaningful and targeted support measures for our industry.”
“To ensure that Canada remains a competitive destination, we have urged the Minister of Finance to act swiftly to extend the International Convention Attraction Fund (ICAF) and increase funding for international marketing efforts.”
TIAC also said it’s encouraging Canadians to embrace domestic travel, just as they did in the post-COVID recovery.
“Exploring our own backyard not only supports local economies but also strengthens our national tourism industry,” the association said.
Frederic Dimanche, Professor/Director of the Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Toronto Metropolitan University, told Open Jaw the Canadian travel boycott of the USA is happening without government incentive or directions.
“People are contesting with their feet and credit cards, and the movement against the USA is gaining strength, as evidenced by the recent Statistics Canada information about border crossings, and reports from airlines and travel agencies. In addition to the negative attitudes towards the USA and the intention to boycott the destination, the exchange rate remains a handicap that will further slow down travel to the USA.
“Finally, the tariffs, even though they don't target directly the travel sector, will have an impact on prices. We can expect the cost of travelling to increase because supplies needed by hotels, airlines, or restaurants will be pricier. This will continue to feed domestic travel and benefit the Canadian tourism sector.
