Cambridge travel agent says some clients rethinking U.S. travel plans amid tariff war

A Cambridge, Ont., travel agent says her clients aren't changing March break plans to go to the U.S., but those planning vacations in the coming months are reconsidering their options.

"Clients, people are feeling attacked. We're feeling threatened," Jessica Malcew, a travel agent at Timeless Tales Travel in Cambridge, told CBC News. "They want to make sure that … they're supporting Canadian, or they're staying home."

Malcew, who is a vacation planner and is listed as a Disney specialist, said the travel agency is also seeing a shift in how people are approaching their vacations.

"Instead of them going [to Disney] for a week, they're going for four to five days. We're definitely seeing a shrink," she said.

"We have seen an increase in clients who are looking at all-inclusive destinations like Mexico, Dominican Republic, and who are cruising instead, as well."

After a month-long pause, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 25 per cent tariff on most imports from Canada on March 4.

Following the announcement, Malcew said clients are now indicating they want to avoid U.S. trips altogether. One person emailed Malcew and said they're "going to hold off on doing any more research on trips to Florida because of the tariffs that came into effect." 

HS Chris Choi, a professor at the University of Guelph's School of Hospitality, Food and Tourism Management, told CBC News in an email that the tension between Canada and the U.S. has affected Canadians' desire to travel to the U.S.

"Industry experts have observed that the heightened political tension is prompting Canadians to rethink their travel plans, with many favouring local or non-U.S. destinations over the traditional American trips they once preferred," he said. 

It is something Malcew says her Disney-centric travel agency has had to address.

"We've really had to pivot and make sure that we're flexible and providing clients with the information they need to know that we don't just book Disney. We can also book your Royal Caribbean cruise, which is Canadian dollars, or we can get you to that all-inclusive destination also in Canadian dollars."

Choi said the "aggressive political rhetoric" from the U.S. has caused "significant unease" among Canadian travellers, something already felt all over the country. 

"In regions like Quebec, surveys indicate that nearly half of those who initially planned to travel to the U.S. now opt for domestic or alternative international destinations," he said.

Other provinces are also feeling this shift in Canadians' sentiments.