Background on the Situation
Following a significant drop in Canadian tourists visiting the United States, caused by political decisions and tariffs under Donald Trump’s administration, Jalisco is capitalizing on this opportunity to attract Canadian travelers who have shifted their focus away from the US.
Expert Insights
Gustavo Staufert, the Director of the Guadalajara Convention and Visitors Bureau (OFVC), stated, “The second country that receives the most tourism globally is the United States. We’ve seen a decline of 15-18% in Canadian tourists visiting the US, and these are opportunities we can take advantage of.”
According to Tourism Economics, a firm specializing in the economic analysis of the tourism sector, the projection for Canadian tourists visiting the US by 2025 shows a drop of over 20%, resulting in nearly $9 billion in lost tourism revenue.
“The US faces a severe turismo problem, which is why we’ve increased flights from Guadalajara to Canada from two to five, targeting Canadian tourists less inclined to visit the US,” Staufert Buclon explained.
Enhanced Air Connectivity
In May, the Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP) announced that by the end of 2025, flights between Guadalajara and Montreal (operated by Air Transat) and Guadalajara and Toronto (operated by Air Canada) would commence, boosting air connectivity with North America.
- Guadalajara-Montreal: Air Transat
- Guadalajara-Toronto: Air Canada
These new routes complement the existing flights offered by Flair Airlines to Vancouver and Toronto, which began in May and September 2024, respectively.
Additionally, a new international route from Guadalajara to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, operated by WestJet, will start on December 7, 2024, with bi-weekly flights (on Tuesdays and Sundays) until April 12, 2026.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: Why is Jalisco targeting Canadian tourists? A: Due to the decline in Canadian travelers visiting the US following Trump’s policies, Jalisco aims to attract these tourists by enhancing air connectivity and promoting the region’s unique attractions.
- Q: What changes in air connectivity are being implemented? A: New direct flights from Guadalajara to Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary have been established or are scheduled to begin, increasing access for Canadian tourists.
- Q: How will these changes impact Jalisco’s tourism sector? A: Enhanced air connectivity is expected to boost Jalisco’s tourism industry by attracting more Canadian visitors and diversifying the region’s tourist market.
