Ontario's Sandbanks - A Coastal Retreat Offering Escape from American Shores
In response to the ongoing trade war between Canada and the United States, many Quebecers are choosing to vacation within Canada this summer, with popular destinations like Sandbanks Provincial Park in Ontario seeing an influx of visitors.
The decrease in Canadian travel to the U.S. has been significant since tariff impositions and trade tensions started in early 2025, with Canadian travel dropping by about 40% compared to the previous year. This trend has raised concerns about potential job losses and recession risks in Canada.
However, the Conference Board of Canada estimates that Canadians avoiding U.S. vacations due to the trade war could result in up to $8.8 billion in extra revenue for Canada's domestic tourism industry this year. About 27% of Canadians surveyed are considering trips within Canada rather than to the U.S., down from 50% previously considering U.S. travel, indicating a strong "staycation" trend.
Tourism hotspots in Ontario, including Sandbanks, stand to benefit from the increased domestic visitation as Quebecers and other Canadians choose accessible, affordable alternatives to U.S. destinations. Sandbanks, located in Prince Edward County, offers a seaside atmosphere and blonde sand beaches, making it a popular choice for those seeking a vacation by the sea.
Not everyone is boycotting the U.S., though. Jackie Tremblay, a Quebecer, returned from a meeting of motor vehicle owners, gathering 300 people, most of whom had planned vacations in the U.S. but did not go this year. Tremblay comments that while Donald Trump puts off many, not all Americans are Trump supporters. She observes autocracy settling in south of the border and says that Quebecers should express their disagreement.
Sonia Ethier, another Quebecer, is saying goodbye to Wildwood, New Jersey after almost 15 years of annual visits due to Donald Trump's second term. Suzie Houde, another vacationer, had planned to go to Cape Cod, Massachusetts but changed her mind due to the political situation in the U.S. Sylvie Drolet, on the other hand, is returning to Lake Ontario for her vacation this year, having previously traveled extensively to Maine with her family. Drolet considers her decision to spend her vacation money in Canada an act of resistance against the political situation in the U.S., with her vacations defined by the sea, salt water, and lobster, which she will find by Lake Ontario this year.
Despite the benefits for the domestic tourism industry, the broader tourism industry worries about the loss of American visitors and declining cross-border travel. Indigenous tourism operators and other businesses reliant on U.S. tourists report drops in American guests, which threatens their future livelihoods despite gains from increased Canadian visitors.
The Americans have always given Quebecers a very warm welcome, according to Tremblay. However, many Quebecers are choosing to stay within Canada this summer, with Lake Ontario offering an immense body of water that Sandbanks is part of, providing a sea-like experience without a long trip. Some Quebecers even refer to Sandbanks as a "heartthrob" this summer.
The political climate in the United States has led some Quebecers to reconsider their travel plans, with a rise in the number of locals opting for "staycations" within Canada this summer. This shift towards domestic travel, driven partly by the ongoing trade war between Canada and the U.S., could alter Quebecers' traditional lifestyle of vacationing by the sea in places like Wildwood, New Jersey or Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
This altered lifestyle, prompted by general-news events and politics, may result in unique experiences for many locals, as they explore new Canadian destinations like Sandbanks Provincial Park in Ontario. Some Quebecers like Sylvie Drolet are even viewing their decision to spend their vacation money domestically as an act of resistance against the political situation in the U.S., making their vacations not just about leisure, but also a political statement.
