Airline cuts, tougher border experiences, and even boycott talk are pushing Canadians away — yet Florida is still breaking records.
Florida’s Big Surprise: Brazilians Are Stepping In
According to Visit Florida, the Sunshine State welcomed 34.4 million visitors in Q2 2025, setting a second-quarter record. But here’s the twist: U.S. travelers and a surge from Brazil fueled the growth, even as Canadian visits fell by 20%.
Visit Florida CEO Bryan Griffin confirmed the trend, noting:
“Florida is seeing an increase in visitors from Brazil… it’s something we’re monitoring closely to continue that good trend.”
While Canadians once made up over 3% of all Florida visits, their presence is shrinking — down 15.6% year-over-year. Car crossings plunged nearly 37%, and even Air Canada slashed flights to Florida, including the once-popular Toronto–Jacksonville route.
Europe Backs Away While Florida Pushes Forward
Unfortunately, Europe is telling a different story. Travelers from the UK, Germany, and France are choosing Canada over the U.S., with polls showing 64% of Europeans prefer visiting Canada vs. 46% for the U.S. France, in particular, reported an 11% drop in U.S. travel this year.
Still, Florida remains the outlier. Thanks to domestic visitors and Brazilian momentum, the state’s tourism machine is running strong.
Could a New Law Bring Canadians Back?
Lawmakers are once again trying to woo Canadians with a proposal to extend stays for snowbirds over 50 to 240 days without a visa. If approved, it could reignite the pipeline of Canadian homeowners who boost Florida’s real estate and local economies every winter.
Rep. Laurel Lee of Florida summarized the bill’s promise:
“We’re supporting job growth, strengthening our bond with our closest neighbors, and helping local communities thrive.”
What This Means for Florida’s Economy
For now, Florida is proving resilient. Even as Canada pulls back and Europe hesitates, domestic travelers and overseas markets like Brazil are keeping hotels, theme parks, and beaches busy. The question is whether Florida can thrive long-term without its Canadian base — or if the extended-stay bill will flip the script once again.
👉 What do you think? Can Florida’s tourism keep climbing without Canadians, or will the snowbirds make their comeback?