Charles Esther
Airbnb has reported a noticeable decline in the number of foreigners booking stays in the United States.
According to CFO Ellie Mertz, foreign reservations in the US have dropped compared to last year and earlier this year.
On Thursday’s first-quarter earnings call, Mertz cited “economic uncertainty” as one of the major reasons for the decrease.
She explained that travelers who previously visited the US are now choosing other countries instead.
Canadian Travel to the US Takes a Sharp Dip
Canadians, in particular, are avoiding US destinations.
Airbnb noted that travel from Canada to the United States has declined significantly in recent months.
Instead, Canadian travelers are opting for alternative international destinations.
According to Airbnb’s shareholder letter, nights booked by Canadians to Mexico increased by 27% between March 2024 and March 2025.
Mexico, France, Brazil, and Japan Gain Popularity
Mertz explained that Canadians are now favoring destinations such as Mexico, Brazil, France, and Japan over the United States.
The shift highlights a broader trend among travelers seeking experiences outside North America.
Other major hospitality firms, including Hilton and Booking Holdings, have confirmed this trend, reporting that Canadian visits to the US are falling while travel to Mexico is growing.
Political Climate May Be a Contributing Factor
Some Canadians have voiced dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump’s recent policies and rhetoric.
His controversial tariffs and remarks about potentially annexing Canada have triggered backlash.
As a result, certain Canadians have decided to boycott travel to the US altogether.
This sentiment could be playing a significant role in the recent decline in cross-border tourism.
Most US Airbnb Stays Still Booked by Americans
Despite the dip in foreign bookings, Mertz emphasized that international travelers only account for a small fraction of Airbnb’s US business.
She noted that foreign visitors make up just about 3% of Airbnb’s total US reservations.
Most nights booked in the US come from domestic travelers.
Globally, international bookings for US stays remain in the “single-digit percentage” range.
Airbnb Remains Resilient During Economic Uncertainty
Shares of Airbnb rose by roughly 1% on Friday, following an earnings report that matched Wall Street expectations.
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky addressed the broader economic climate during the earnings call.
He reminded investors that the platform has survived and adapted through challenging times before.
“We started Airbnb during the Great Recession of 2008,” Chesky said.
“People turned to us for a more affordable way to travel, and they started hosting to earn extra income.”
He also recalled how Airbnb became a local travel solution during the pandemic in 2020.
“Today, things feel uncertain once again. But just as we’ve shown in the past, as the world changes, Airbnb will continue to adapt,” Chesky said.
Conclusion
As international travelers, particularly Canadians, shy away from the US, Airbnb continues to demonstrate its resilience.
While global bookings to the States have decreased, the platform remains strong thanks to domestic demand.
Economic uncertainty and political tension may shape travel trends, but Airbnb’s flexibility keeps it positioned for the future.
