South Florida Businesses Hope Canadians Return as Winter Season Begins

South Florida Businesses Hope Canadians Return as Winter Season Begins

SOUTH FLORIDA — As winter settles in across Canada, hotels, restaurants and tourism-dependent businesses in South Florida are once again looking north with hope, waiting to see whether Canadian visitors will return in numbers closer to pre-pandemic norms.

Canadian travelers have long been the largest international visitor group to Florida during the winter months, particularly among retirees and seasonal residents known as “snowbirds.” Their absence over the past year has been noticeable, especially in coastal communities where Canadian visitors traditionally stay for weeks or months at a time.

Industry leaders say Canadian tourism has declined throughout 2025, with fewer long-term stays and more canceled trips. Some vacation rental owners and hoteliers report drops of 20 to 30 percent in bookings tied to Canadian guests, while retail and dining businesses say seasonal foot traffic has been softer than expected.

Several factors appear to be contributing to the slowdown. Rising travel costs, higher insurance premiums on Florida properties, currency exchange challenges and broader political and economic uncertainty have made extended U.S. stays less appealing for some Canadians. In response, a number of long-time snowbirds have shortened their visits or opted not to travel south at all this season.

Despite the decline, tourism officials say they remain cautiously optimistic. Historically, many Canadian visitors arrive after the holidays, meaning January and February will be key indicators of whether the season rebounds. Hotels and attractions continue to market aggressively to Canadian travelers, emphasizing warm weather, direct flights and long-standing ties between Florida communities and their northern visitors.

At the same time, businesses are working to offset potential losses by attracting more domestic travelers and visitors from other international markets. While overall tourism in Florida remains strong, industry leaders acknowledge that a sustained drop in Canadian visitors would have a significant economic impact on South Florida’s winter season.

For now, businesses wait — watching the forecasts, the bookings and the border — hoping the familiar sight of Canadian license plates and long-term winter stays will soon return.