Canadians are forgoing U.S. travel this year; might they come to Nunavut instead?

Some people working in Nunavut’s travel and tourism industry say there are signs the territory could benefit as Canadians forgo travel to the United States in favour of destinations within the country.

But not all tourism operators or marketers say they’re seeing increased bookings or inquiries.

Adventure Canada, which operates small-ship expeditions through Nunavut, Nunatsiavut and Newfoundland, among other destinations, said it’s so far seen a seven per cent increase in the proportion of its passengers who are Canadian.

“Although it is difficult to link it to hard numbers at this point, anecdotally we are hearing very often from our guests (Canadian and otherwise) that they are very excited to see some of the far reaches of Canada with a Canadian operator,” said CEO Cedar Swan in a statement emailed to CBC.

“In a few cases, yes, some people have changed their travel plans to show their support for Canada. One guest in particular decided to cancel an Alaska cruise they had planned (which they even lost their deposit on) because they preferred to keep their travel dollars in Canada and see the eastern Arctic.”

Many of Adventure Canada’s guests book their holidays eight to 12 months out, Swan said, so it’s hard to know whether the trend will continue.

Trips to the U.S. are down

But she said the company has also been getting more inquiries from Canadian travel agents because their clients are looking to support Canadian companies and visit Canadian destinations.

Canadians have been avoiding U.S. travel in droves ever since U.S. president Donald Trump launched a trade war against the country and began referring to Canada as the 51st state.

Since then, stories of U.S. officials searching travelers’ smart phones, quizzing Canadians about their allegiance to the U.S., detaining legal residents, including Canadians and deporting alleged criminals to an El Salvadoran prison without due process, resulting in at least one wrongful deportation, have contributed to the boycott.

Return trips to the U.S. by automobile declined more than 35 per cent year over year in April and May of 2025, according to Statistics Canada. 

Return trips by air by Canadian residents dropped 14 per cent year over year in April, and 24.2 per cent in May.

Flight Centre Canada, meanwhile, is reporting a five per cent increase in domestic bookings this summer, a spokesperson told CBC in an email.

The president and CEO of Travel Nunavut said many members are reporting high hotel occupancy rates and full flights this season and are expecting a busy summer.

But Alex Stubbing said it’s too early to tell how much of a role leisure tourism from elsewhere in Canada plays in those numbers.

Most travel in Nunavut is carried out by Nunavummiut journeying between communities for business or medical reasons or to visit family, he said.

But some operators have been trying to capitalize on the renewed interest in Canadian tourism.

Summer tours up in Arctic Bay

“We definitely saw a rise in some of our members attending Canadian trade shows in the hopes of attracting tourists into the territory this summer,” Stubbing said.

Arctic Bay Adventures is seeing payoff this summer from its efforts to attract more interest in land-based summer tourism, its manager Chris Mitchell said.

The community-owned ecotourist adventure company in Arctic Bay will welcome six or seven tours this year, according to Mitchell.

Two years ago, there were virtually none.

“One of the tours we had is a photographer. … He has been going to Alaska, and he’s now switched over to here,” Mitchell said.

“So that’s a definite … new business for Canada as opposed to the USA. … I believe that part of our uptick is related to people that are looking for something other than the stars and stripes for their vacation package.”

But not everyone has noticed a change this year.

A spokesperson for Canadian North told CBC in a statement it has not seen an increase in bookings.

Flight Centre Canada also said new bookings to Nunavut are flat this year compared to the same period last year.

But “curiosity is growing,” said spokesperson Amra Durakovic, “part of a broader trend toward interest in remote travel.”

Northern destinations ‘niche for now’

Destinations such as Nunavut and Yukon “remain niche for now,” but that growing interest could foretell a broader shift in travel trends next summer, Durakovic added.

The government of Nunavut, which promotes tourism to the territory, said it hasn’t detected any early indicators of increased interest but it’s too early to draw firm conclusions.

“[M]any travellers plan their trips to the territory well in advance, sometimes up to a year ahead,” a spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

“So it takes longer to detect and interpret shifts in interest compared to other regions.”

But the government said it is taking steps to try to capitalize on Canadians’ growing interest in domestic tourism with a campaign promoting Nunavut’s culture, landscapes and experiences.

It has also intensified marketing efforts internationally in an effort to take advantage of the growing U.S. travel boycott.

“The initiatives include digital campaigns, partnerships with travel trade professionals, and participation in international tourism expos to raise awareness of Nunavut’s unique offerings,” the statement read.

“We are also diversifying into new markets, including Australia.”

Mitchell at Arctic Bay Adventures said the locally-owned company put around $300,000 into the hands of guides and local stores in the first three months of 2025 alone, and more tourism would push that number up.

“If our fellow Canadians see benefit to coming here as opposed to going to Iceland or Norway and spending their Arctic Circle travel dollar in Canada, it will seriously help out some great people,” he said.

Related stories from around the North: 

Canada: Northwestel wants to improve broadband to small communities in northwestern Canada, CBC News

Finland: Could telecommuting keep Finland’s small towns viable?, Yle News

Norway: British & Norwegian F-35s scrambled in North to intercept Russian military plane, The Independent Barents Observer

Russia: Putin beefs up naval nuclear arsenal, promises more subs, The Independent Barents Observer

United Kingdom: UK urged to bolster Arctic defense as grey-zone threats rise: report, Eye on the Arctic

United States: First U.S. deep water port for the Arctic to host cruise ships, military, The Associated Press