Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is pushing back against media-fueled claims that Canadian travel is taking a nosedive due to President Donald Trump’s tariff policies and his bold rhetoric about annexing Canada.
Speaking to the Florida Realtors organization in Orlando, DeSantis shared a personal anecdote about a recent family trip to Legoland in Winter Haven, highlighting the strong international presence — including Canadians — he witnessed firsthand.
“I’m with my kids, you know, we were down at spring break, and we’re at Legoland, and all these people are coming up to me for pictures, which is fine. I normally do that. And I’d say, like, 80 percent of them were Canadians,” DeSantis said. “And I’m like, ‘I thought you guys weren’t coming to Florida anymore.’ ‘Oh no, we love Florida.’ So, we’re going to continue to be a destination.”
“I saw plenty of Canadians at Legoland,” the governor said. “Florida continues to be a tourist hotspot, and no amount of media spin is going to change that.”
DeSantis doubled down on Tuesday at the state Capitol, dismissing the idea that Canadians are canceling vacations en masse over federal politics.
Canadian travel has historically made up about 25% of international visitors to Florida, and last year was no exception. In 2024, an estimated 3.27 million Canadians visited the state — a modest 1.2% increase over 2023, though still 20% below pre-pandemic levels.
Critics have seized on reports from the Miami Herald and tourism analysts who point to a 20% drop in flight bookingsfrom Canada to South Florida and a revised forecast showing an overall 5.1% decline in U.S.-bound travel for 2025.
But DeSantis says the numbers don’t tell the full story. While international travel patterns continue to rebound unevenly post-COVID, Florida has consistently led the nation in drawing tourists — thanks to its open economy, top-notch attractions, and pro-business leadership.
“We didn’t shut down our state like others did,” DeSantis noted. “We kept our tourism industry alive when others crippled theirs with endless lockdowns.”
Visit Florida, the state’s tourism marketing agency, will release its Q1 2025 numbers in May, which should provide more clarity.
Meanwhile, DeSantis remains focused on policies that prioritize freedom, economic growth, and security — values that make Florida a magnet for visitors from around the world, regardless of the political climate up north.
