LAS VEGAS -- Despite many Canadians boycotting travel to the U.S. as a response to the tariffs implemented by the Trump administration, Canadian members of Travel Leaders Network (TLN) had a strong showing at its annual Edge conference, ongoing this week at Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel and Casino.
According to Christine James, vice president of Canada for TLN, about 100 Canadians usually attend Edge. This year, 154 are in attendance.
"When the tariff situation came into play, we did see some fall off, but at the same time we had a lot of members that were still on a waitlist that we were able to backfill," James said.
She added that those who did choose to come reported seeing the value of the investment in their business and the learning opportunities presented to them.
Where Canadians are vacationing
Travel Leaders Network members in Canada are still seeing growth this year, James said. While they do have clients unwilling to come to the U.S., they aren't canceling trips. Instead, they are shifting. Canadian members have been selling a lot of Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean.
"At this point, anyway, we're not seeing loss of revenue," she said. "We're seeing a shift."