The United States is facing a deepening $50 billion travel deficit as fewer Canadians choose to visit. Canada, the top source of international travelers to the U.S., has seen a sharp drop in trips due to factors like currency exchange rates, visa wait times, and increased detainments.

Both air and land travel from Canada to the U.S. have fallen significantly. In February, return flights dropped by 13%, while car trips declined by 23%, according to Statistics Canada. Hotel demand in U.S. border areas is also down, with Bellingham, Washington, seeing an 8% decline and Niagara Falls reporting a 3.5% drop.

Canadian airlines are reducing their U.S. routes as demand weakens. Flair Airlines recently canceled its Toronto-to-Nashville route, while WestJet reported that more Canadian travelers are opting for sun destinations like Mexico and the Caribbean instead.

Travel industry leaders warn that the decline could have significant economic consequences. The U.S. Travel Association is urging swift action to promote tourism, as international visitors are key to driving spending and boosting exports. With billions of dollars on the line, the industry is pushing for policies to maintain America’s competitiveness on the global stage.