Expanding Ghana’s healthcare market: Rise of medical tourism

Travel

A.B. Kafui Kanyi

Opinion

Apr – 07 – 2025 , 09:57

6 minutes read

A former Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, a few weeks ago wondered why any politician or senior public officer should be allowed to travel out to go and seek health care. 

“…Whether you like it or not, health is expensive, and when they go out, they pay through their nose, so why can’t we develop here?

If the President is not well and is admitted to UGMC or Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, what will happen?
There are no competent doctors to look after them? There are…”

These sentiments are not new, and perhaps their reemergence is to drive home the call for Ghana to invest heavily in the health sector to make the country the premier medical tourism hub for the West African sub-region.
Interestingly, successive governments have been talking about the concept of making Ghana a medical tourism destination; what is left is actualising the dream of benefiting from the projected $55.83 billion medical tourism market, according to Statista 2025.
Canada, Singapore, Japan, Spain, the UK, Dubai, and India are ranked among the top medical tourism destinations.
In Africa, South Africa is the leader as a medical tourist destination. Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt are up in North Africa, attracting European patients. Kenya is also thriving in East Africa, with not much happening in West Africa.

The Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital is attracting some foreign clients for heart surgeries, but in the larger scheme of things, a lot needs to be done to stop Ghanaians and other Africans from travelling outside the continent for such services and to also attract more clients from outside Africa.
Potential
Ghana has significant potential to become a thriving medical tourism destination due to its strategic location.
The country’s geographical position – close to the Prime Meridian and the Equator, near the centre of the Earth – makes it a convenient destination for medical tourists from Europe, the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East, with relatively short flight times compared to other medical tourism hubs.
Also, the Kotoka International Airport (KIA), arguably a regional aviation hub, offers direct and connecting flights from major global cities, with the country’s warm temperature all year round, aiding post-treatment recovery for patients from colder regions seeking a stress-free healing environment.

With the growing demand for wellness and alternative medicine, Ghana’s natural resources, including its serene environment, herbal medicine expertise, and wellness retreats, provide opportunities for medical tourists seeking holistic treatments.
Ghana’s rich cultural heritage, historical sites, and vibrant tourism industry can complement medical tourism by offering a holistic experience for international patients and their families.
Oxygen
The country’s Oxygen City, Ho, provides fresh air, natural landscapes, and a relaxing atmosphere that enhances recovery and promotes wellness tourism.

Medical tourists can explore other sites across the country while receiving care.
According to the Ghana Tourism Authority, more than 1.1 million tourists visit the country annually, with significant economic, health care, and socio-cultural benefits to the country.
Should the country offer high-quality healthcare services at a fraction of the cost compared to Western countries and established medical tourism destinations, it would become an attractive alternative for medical tourists.
Another strength is the country’s experienced consultants and specialists across the world, who could be encouraged to come back to help develop and grow niche areas for medical tourism.
Benefits
Medical tourism boosts foreign exchange earnings because medical tourists bring in foreign currency, which helps in strengthening the economy and supporting national development.
Increased demand for medical services will lead to more investments in hospitals, clinics, and advanced medical equipment and expansion of the healthcare system.
Growth in medical tourism will also create thousands of jobs in health care, hospitality, transport, and tourism-related sectors, helping address the country’s unemployment challenge.
Government’s intervention
The refreshing news is that the government promises to diversify tourism to include health/medical tourism and pledges to expand infrastructure and systems and promote strategic branding.
Interestingly, in its first budget, the government says it will give significant attention to medical tourism, finalising, publishing, and implementing the Medical Tourism Policy and Strategy.
“In this regard, the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital will be refurbished into an ultra-modern quaternary specialist hospital to reduce reliance on medical care and training abroad.
“Additionally, Ho Teaching Hospital will be upgraded to provide comprehensive specialist services, improving regional access to advanced medical care.”
Ho Teaching Hospital
The Ho Teaching Hospital (HTH), strategically located to serve the people of the Volta Region and beyond, with a vision to become a medical tourist centre through innovative health care is already patronised by clients from the neighbouring Republic of Togo, Benin, and Nigeria.
Recently, the hospital inaugurated five new facilities, including a family health centre, a pharmacy complex, and an HTH Annex to enhance healthcare delivery.
The Ho Teaching Hospital Annex is nestled in a lush, green, and serene environment, offering a peaceful and healing atmosphere for patients, visitors, and medical professionals alike.
Surrounded by well-manicured gardens, towering trees, and vibrant tropical plants, the Annex blends modern healthcare excellence with nature’s tranquillity.
The hospital’s expansive green spaces provide a calming retreat, promoting both physical and mental well-being.
Patients recovering from treatment can enjoy fresh air, soothing natural scenery, and a quiet ambience that enhances the healing process. 
The chirping of birds, gentle rustling of leaves, and a well-maintained landscape create an oasis of comfort and relaxation, setting it apart as an ideal destination for wellness and medical tourism.
With its eco-friendly design and spacious walkways, the Ho Teaching Hospital Annex is not just a healthcare facility, it’s a sanctuary where nature and medicine come together to foster holistic healing.
While this is encouraging, the government must help these hospitals undergo international accreditation processes to boost trust and build brand visibility.
The government must also introduce favourable medical travel policies to encourage clients to choose Ghana for medical tourism.
A coordinating unit should also be created within the Ministry of Health to facilitate the health tourism agenda.
An agency with appropriate legislation (an Act of Parliament and its corresponding Legislative Instrument) can also be created to manage the fast-growing sector.
Conclusion
With the right investments in healthcare infrastructure, international accreditation, and marketing/branding, Ghana can be the medical tourism destination in Africa.
By leveraging its affordability, quality care, and tourism appeal, the country can attract a growing number of medical travellers seeking world-class treatment in a welcoming and culturally rich environment.
The writer is the Medical Tourism Coordinator, Ho Teaching Hospital.
E-mail: [email protected]

Doing 5 ‘high maintenance’ tasks before travelling can make you look gorgeous on holiday

Travel

A beauty influencer has shared the “high maintenance” DIY measures she takes before travelling to give her a flawless, “low maintenance” complexion abroad.With the arrival of warmer weather, many people are looking forward to taking a summer holiday. Everyone wants to look their best on holiday, with many people embarking on major prep work before jetting off.This could be a case of getting a manicure and pedicure, a fresh haircut and dye job, and other self-care treats to help improve one’s confidence.While hotter climates are a welcome, coveted break from the norm of the notoriously unreliable British weather, it can make our standard skincare and makeup routines a little trickier to execute, with humidity – and sweat – often wreaking havoc.Lots of people are also keen to enjoy a more relaxed, stripped-back look while abroad. With this in mind, beauty guru Bambi Does Beauty shared her tips for achieving a clearer complexion, as well as fresher hair, to allow for less effort to be spent on your beauty routine while on holiday.The popular content creator, 34, has amassed a devoted following of hundreds of thousands of fans across TikTok and Instagram. This is all down to her regular video and photo uploads in which she shares her tips and advice on a range of skincare and beauty products.Bambi, whose given name is Eleanor, is admired for her honesty when it comes to trying out tips, hacks and trends alongside both luxury and budget-friendly beauty products.In a recent TikTok video, she shared the five simple steps she takes before going away to help her look and feel her best. In the footage, she can be seen applying hair removal cream to her upper lip, and applying a benzoyl peroxide wash to her underarms which she claims “stops sweat smelling”.Bambi then utilised teeth whitening strips, a toning hair mask, and two layers of fake tan which she applied with plastic gloves instead of a tanning mit because she believes it “makes your tan twice as dark”.Captioning the clip, she simply penned: “High maintenance to be low maintenance beauty treatments I do before a trip!”People shared their thoughts in the comments section. One person said: “I was meant to see this today, my mitt for my fake tanner fell apart. The rubber gloves is genius”.NYX Cosmetics declared: “DIY queen”, while others begged for details of the products Bambi used so they could try them out for themselves.But some people cautioned against using hair removal cream on the delicate upper lip area. One person said: “Take it from me, NEVER use hair remover on your face. Just trust.”Whenever trying new products or online trends, it’s always best to conduct a patch test to check it’s suited to your skin. Apply a small amount of the product to an area like the inner bend of your elbow or your wrist, and leave it on for 24 hours to check for allergies or sensitivities.If you experience a negative reaction, like itchiness, burning, or your skin becomes flaky, be sure to stop using the product.

Spain, Greece and Portugal tourist tax rules and how much you’ll have to pay

Travel

Many British holidaymakers eyeing up a getaway this Easter, during the summer months or further into the year should prepare for extra costs. A vast number of UK citizens are expected to travel abroad this year, but the financial burden of such holidays keeps mounting.Some may be hit with unexpected additional costs, due to tourist taxes that have been implemented across numerous popular resorts and holiday hotspots.Greece has a “high season” (from April to October) tourist tax which comes to 8 euros per room daily. For those planning a seven-day stay, this means you’ll need to spend an extra 56 euros per room.During the off-peak season, the tax is reduced to two euros per room each day.As for Spain, although there isn’t a blanket tourist tax applicable nationwide, Barcelona visitors need to cough up both a regional tourist levy and a city-specific tax, costing four euros nightly.The exact amount of the regional tax hinges on where you stay. A four-star hotel will cost you an extra €1.70; while with a private rental like Airbnb, the fee climbs to €2.25; and with a five-star hotel it’s €3.50 – all charged per night, respectively.Exploring beyond Barcelona into broader Catalonia means only the regional tourist tax needs covering: three euros nightly for those ensconced in five-star hotels. For four-star it drops to €1.20 per night, and for other types of accommodation, it’s between 60 cents and a euro.If you’re planning a getaway to the Balearic Islands – Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca, or Formentera – get ready to factor in a “green tax” into your holiday budget. Consumer champions Which? reveal that visitors will be charged four euros per person per night for five-star accommodation.This fee decreases progressively, with four-star lodgings collecting three euros, three-star establishments two euros, and for those staying in hotels or campsites, the rate stands at one euro.Bear in mind these tariffs are valid from May 1 through October 31. Outside these peak dates, the rates will be between 25 cents and one euro each night, depending on where you’re staying.As with Spain, tourist taxes in Portugal will depend where you go. In 2024 over 20 municipalities imposed a levy on travellers.Lisbon has seen a surge in its tax, jumping from one to two euros this year. Meanwhile, those visiting Faro during the high season were asked to fork out €2 last year, doubling the previous rate.

Spain, Greece and Portugal tourist tax rules and how much you’ll have to pay

Travel

Many British holidaymakers eyeing up a getaway this Easter, during the summer months or further into the year should prepare for extra costs. A vast number of UK citizens are expected to travel abroad this year, but the financial burden of such holidays keeps mounting.Some may be hit with unexpected additional costs, due to tourist taxes that have been implemented across numerous popular resorts and holiday hotspots.Greece has a “high season” (from April to October) tourist tax which comes to 8 euros per room daily. For those planning a seven-day stay, this means you’ll need to spend an extra 56 euros per room.During the off-peak season, the tax is reduced to two euros per room each day.As for Spain, although there isn’t a blanket tourist tax applicable nationwide, Barcelona visitors need to cough up both a regional tourist levy and a city-specific tax, costing four euros nightly.The exact amount of the regional tax hinges on where you stay. A four-star hotel will cost you an extra €1.70; while with a private rental like Airbnb, the fee climbs to €2.25; and with a five-star hotel it’s €3.50 – all charged per night, respectively.Exploring beyond Barcelona into broader Catalonia means only the regional tourist tax needs covering: three euros nightly for those ensconced in five-star hotels. For four-star it drops to €1.20 per night, and for other types of accommodation, it’s between 60 cents and a euro.If you’re planning a getaway to the Balearic Islands – Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca, or Formentera – get ready to factor in a “green tax” into your holiday budget. Consumer champions Which? reveal that visitors will be charged four euros per person per night for five-star accommodation.This fee decreases progressively, with four-star lodgings collecting three euros, three-star establishments two euros, and for those staying in hotels or campsites, the rate stands at one euro.Bear in mind these tariffs are valid from May 1 through October 31. Outside these peak dates, the rates will be between 25 cents and one euro each night, depending on where you’re staying.As with Spain, tourist taxes in Portugal will depend where you go. In 2024 over 20 municipalities imposed a levy on travellers.Lisbon has seen a surge in its tax, jumping from one to two euros this year. Meanwhile, those visiting Faro during the high season were asked to fork out €2 last year, doubling the previous rate.

Canadians pull back on travel to California because of Donald Trump: ‘I will miss the desert’

Travel

People visit the Griffith Observatory with the Hollywood sign in the background in Los Angeles on July 13, 2023. (Phelan M. Ebenhack via AP)

California tourism could lose billions of dollars because of President Donald Trump’s policies on tariffs, immigration and gender identity, as well as his talk of annexing Canada.Visit California, a nonprofit organization that promotes tourism in the Golden State, recently revised its overall visitor spending forecast for this year from $166 billion to $160 billion, saying international travel into California is already beginning to slow. Canada, the second-largest source of international tourism dollars for the state after Mexico, accounted for $3.7 billion of the $26.5 billion foreign travel brought into the state last year, Visit California said.So it could be a big problem for California that many Canadians are angry about tariffs and Trump’s insistence that their country should become the 51st U.S. state. Many are refusing to buy U.S.-made products and  don’t want to cross the border. Canada and other countries have also issued advisories for travel to the United States, warning travelers that they risk being detained, or that because of the Trump’s administration’s policies on transgender people there could be complications for them depending on what gender is shown on their passports.Carol Harris, who spoke with CalMatters from Nova Scotia, said she and her husband have visited family in San Diego every year for a long time, but not anymore.“Never again, until Trump’s gone,” said Harris, a retired university professor who said it will be a big loss. “I will miss the desert,” she added. “I love the topography of California. I like the politics of California.” Still, she said that as an “adamantly progressive” person, not visiting the United States is “just something we have to do.”Charlie Angus, a member of Canada’s Parliament, recently called Trump’s rhetoric “an act of war” and urged Canadians not to travel to the United States. He cited the case of a Canadian citizen with a U.S. work visa who said she was detained by U.S. officials for two weeks.“It’s become clear that Donald Trump is willing to drive his nation’s economy into chaos; to rip up the biggest and best trading partnership in the world; to drive the U.S. travel industry to the ground,” Angus said during a March 20 news conference.Anna Kelly, a White House spokesperson, doubled down on Trump’s annexation remarks in an email response to CalMatters’ questions about the decline in international travel, especially from Canada: “The United States is a great destination for international travelers, and Canadians will be unburdened by the inconveniences of international travel when they become American citizens as residents of our cherished 51st state.”Effect on California economyCalifornia saw an 8.8% year-over-year decline in international arrivals in February, Visit California said. If that continues, a broad travel slowdown could hurt different industries that fall under the tourism umbrella, including hospitality and restaurants — and the roughly 3 million Californians who work in them.Lynn Mohrfeld, chief executive of the California Hotel and Lodging Association, said he is concerned about the possible effects on his industry, though he said it could take some time for those to show up. He said international travelers usually plan their trips way in advance, so they may not cancel their plans even if they might have concerns about visiting the U.S. Because of that, he said he expects summer travel to be strong.He is clinging to optimism about the near term, but Mohrfeld said “we’ve all heard the nationalistic stuff coming out of Canada, and we’re getting whipsawed on these tariffs. We don’t know whether we’re coming and going… so we would definitely love some consistency and stability on that rhetoric.”Dancers with “A Musical Celebration of Coco” perform at Plaza de la Familia at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim on Sept. 6, 2023. Photo by Sandy Hooper, USA Today via ReutersThe wide-ranging tariffs imposed by the president last week on nearly every nation have alarmed economists, who are warning about a recession, and roiled the stock markets.The tariffs could lead to higher prices everywhere, which could cause a continued drop in travel. California restaurants could take a greater hit than hotels. Tourists spent $34.8 billion at the state’s restaurants in 2023, more than the $32.8 billion they spent on lodging, Visit California said.“Visitors consistently spend the most on food service so restaurants will bear the brunt of any drop in tourism, especially in major metropolitan destinations like San Francisco and Los Angeles when compared to those in the suburbs,” said Jot Condie, chief executive of the California Restaurant Association. He said it could take a greater toll on Los Angeles, which is trying to recover from the deadly fires earlier this year.Condie said the association is trying to make sure city leaders know about the restaurant industry’s struggles, and that it is also working on campaigns to boost local traffic.As for the airline industry, Visit California CEO Caroline Beteta said among the possible effects of a drop in travel from certain places is a reduction in airline routes.“Anytime there are significant declines in visitation, airlines can pull routes from California airports, and that can have long-term impacts,” she said. “We saw that in China after the pandemic. Airlift between China and California is still far below where it was in 2019.”The Canada connectionIn February, Visit California published a report forecasting a 15% annual increase in Canadian tourism to the state, but it now plans to release a revised forecast in May that will likely be more in line with an estimate from Tourism Economics that travel from Canada into the United States will decline 15% this year. Already, Canadian air arrivals to the U.S. declined 12.3% in February compared with the same month last year, Visit California said.Beteta said her group intends to maintain its marketing and advertising efforts in Canada, and that it has a team in Toronto that’s “keeping the California message alive in the market.”That message, she said: “California can continue to attract Canadian travelers thanks to our diverse culture and open-minded attitude.”Whether that message will resonate is a big question. Flight Centre, a leading Canadian travel agency, said that as of February, it saw a 20% cancellation rate on trips to the U.S. over the past three months.Tourists and residents walk around San Francisco’s Chinatown neighborhood on Feb. 18, 2023. Photo by Shelby Knowles for CalMattersAmra Durakovic, head of communications for Flight Centre Travel Group Canada, said “Canadians are choosing to spend their tourism dollars with more intention than ever,” adding that the agency is seeing more domestic travel bookings as well as an uptick in international travel to destinations in Europe and elsewhere.Nancy, who asked that her last name not be published because she fears the Trump administration will target dual citizens like her, is a “snowbird.” She and tens of thousands of Canadians, many of them retired, stay in California and other warm U.S. states during the winter months.Canadians have been able to stay in this country for up to six months at a time without a visa, but starting April 11 they will have to register with U.S. immigration authorities if they intend to stay for more than 30 days.Now, Nancy said she has heard other snowbirds in Coachella Valley are carrying around I-94 visas in their cars, in case they have to prove they are legally allowed to stay in the United States for an extended period of time.An overflowing crowd gathers around the Sahara tent to watch Kid Cudi’s set during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio on April 21, 2024. Photo by Andy Abeyta, The Desert Sun via ReutersNancy is American-born but has mostly lived in Canada since the early 1970s. She and her husband are selling their condo in Rancho Mirage, a decision they made because of what she calls the headache involved in owning property in two countries, even before all this “bullying and nonsense.” Now she has heard others like her talk about selling their properties in California, too.“You get together with other Canadians, within the first two minutes that’s what everyone’s talking about,” she said. “The instability is not what you want to deal with when you’re retired.”She has strong ties to California, including a disabled brother in Los Angeles who has no other living family but her. So she has to return here. But she knows Canadians are serious about boycotting American products and travel. “The economy is just going to be really shaken up on both sides of the border if this continues,” Nancy said.

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Canadians pull back on travel to California because of Trump: ‘I will miss the desert’

Travel

In summary

Canada has been the No. 2 source of international travel to California, but there are already signs that point to a change.

Welcome to CalMatters, the only nonprofit newsroom devoted solely to covering issues that affect all Californians. Sign up for WhatMatters to receive the latest news and commentary on the most important issues in the Golden State.

California tourism could lose billions of dollars because of President Donald Trump’s policies on tariffs, immigration and gender identity, as well as his talk of annexing Canada. 

Visit California, a nonprofit organization that promotes tourism in the Golden State, recently revised its overall visitor spending forecast for this year from $166 billion to $160 billion, saying international travel into California is already beginning to slow. Canada, the second-largest source of international tourism dollars for the state after Mexico, accounted for $3.7 billion of the $26.5 billion foreign travel brought into the state last year, Visit California said.

So it could be a big problem for California that many Canadians are angry about tariffs and Trump’s insistence that their country should become the 51st U.S. state. Many are refusing to buy U.S.-made products and  don’t want to cross the border. Canada and other countries have also issued advisories for travel to the United States, warning travelers that they risk being detained, or that because of the Trump’s administration’s policies on transgender people there could be complications for them depending on what gender is shown on their passports. 

Carol Harris, who spoke with CalMatters from Nova Scotia, said she and her husband have visited family in San Diego every year for a long time, but not anymore.

“Never again, until Trump’s gone,” said Harris, a retired university professor who said it will be a big loss. “I will miss the desert,” she added. “I love the topography of California. I like the politics of California.” Still, she said that as an “adamantly progressive” person, not visiting the United States is “just something we have to do.”

Charlie Angus, a member of Canada’s Parliament, recently called Trump’s rhetoric “an act of war” and urged Canadians not to travel to the United States. He cited the case of a Canadian citizen with a U.S. work visa who said she was detained by U.S. officials for two weeks. 

“It’s become clear that Donald Trump is willing to drive his nation’s economy into chaos; to rip up the biggest and best trading partnership in the world; to drive the U.S. travel industry to the ground,” Angus said during a March 20 news conference.

Anna Kelly, a White House spokesperson, doubled down on Trump’s annexation remarks in an email response to CalMatters’ questions about the decline in international travel, especially from Canada: “The United States is a great destination for international travelers, and Canadians will be unburdened by the inconveniences of international travel when they become American citizens as residents of our cherished 51st state.”

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Effect on California economy

California saw an 8.8% year-over-year decline in international arrivals in February, Visit California said. If that continues, a broad travel slowdown could hurt different industries that fall under the tourism umbrella, including hospitality and restaurants — and the roughly 3 million Californians who work in them.

Lynn Mohrfeld, chief executive of the California Hotel and Lodging Association, said he is concerned about the possible effects on his industry, though he said it could take some time for those to show up. He said international travelers usually plan their trips way in advance, so they may not cancel their plans even if they might have concerns about visiting the U.S. Because of that, he said he expects summer travel to be strong. 

He is clinging to optimism about the near term, but Mohrfeld said “we’ve all heard the nationalistic stuff coming out of Canada, and we’re getting whipsawed on these tariffs. We don’t know whether we’re coming and going… so we would definitely love some consistency and stability on that rhetoric.”

Dancers with “A Musical Celebration of Coco” perform at Plaza de la Familia at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim on Sept. 6, 2023. Photo by Sandy Hooper, USA Today via Reuters

The wide-ranging tariffs imposed by the president last week on nearly every nation have alarmed economists, who are warning about a recession, and roiled the stock markets. 

The tariffs could lead to higher prices everywhere, which could cause a continued drop in travel. California restaurants could take a greater hit than hotels. Tourists spent $34.8 billion at the state’s restaurants in 2023, more than the $32.8 billion they spent on lodging, Visit California said. 

“Visitors consistently spend the most on food service so restaurants will bear the brunt of any drop in tourism, especially in major metropolitan destinations like San Francisco and Los Angeles when compared to those in the suburbs,” said Jot Condie, chief executive of the California Restaurant Association. He said it could take a greater toll on Los Angeles, which is trying to recover from the deadly fires earlier this year.

Condie said the association is trying to make sure city leaders know about the restaurant industry’s struggles, and that it is also working on campaigns to boost local traffic. 

As for the airline industry, Visit California CEO Caroline Beteta said among the possible effects of a drop in travel from certain places is a reduction in airline routes.

“Anytime there are significant declines in visitation, airlines can pull routes from California airports, and that can have long-term impacts,” she said. “We saw that in China after the pandemic. Airlift between China and California is still far below where it was in 2019.”

The Canada connection

In February, Visit California published a report forecasting a 15% annual increase in Canadian tourism to the state, but it now plans to release a revised forecast in May that will likely be more in line with an estimate from Tourism Economics that travel from Canada into the United States will decline 15% this year. Already, Canadian air arrivals to the U.S. declined 12.3% in February compared with the same month last year, Visit California said.

Beteta said her group intends to maintain its marketing and advertising efforts in Canada, and that it has a team in Toronto that’s “keeping the California message alive in the market.”

That message, she said: “California can continue to attract Canadian travelers thanks to our diverse culture and open-minded attitude.”

Whether that message will resonate is a big question. Flight Centre, a leading Canadian travel agency, said that as of February, it saw a 20% cancellation rate on trips to the U.S. over the past three months. 

Tourists and residents walk around San Francisco’s Chinatown neighborhood on Feb. 18, 2023. Photo by Shelby Knowles for CalMatters

Amra Durakovic, head of communications for Flight Centre Travel Group Canada, said “Canadians are choosing to spend their tourism dollars with more intention than ever,” adding that the agency is seeing more domestic travel bookings as well as an uptick in international travel to destinations in Europe and elsewhere.

Nancy, who asked that her last name not be published because she fears the Trump administration will target dual citizens like her, is a “snowbird.” She and tens of thousands of Canadians, many of them retired, stay in California and other warm U.S. states during the winter months. 

Canadians have been able to stay in this country for up to six months at a time without a visa, but starting April 11 they will have to register with U.S. immigration authorities if they intend to stay for more than 30 days.

Now, Nancy said she has heard other snowbirds in Coachella Valley are carrying around I-94 visas in their cars, in case they have to prove they are legally allowed to stay in the United States for an extended period of time. 

An overflowing crowd gathers around the Sahara tent to watch Kid Cudi’s set during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio on April 21, 2024. Photo by Andy Abeyta, The Desert Sun via Reuters

Nancy is American-born but has mostly lived in Canada since the early 1970s. She and her husband are selling their condo in Rancho Mirage, a decision they made because of what she calls the headache involved in owning property in two countries, even before all this “bullying and nonsense.” Now she has heard others like her talk about selling their properties in California, too.

“You get together with other Canadians, within the first two minutes that’s what everyone’s talking about,” she said. “The instability is not what you want to deal with when you’re retired.”

She has strong ties to California, including a disabled brother in Los Angeles who has no other living family but her. So she has to return here. But she knows Canadians are serious about boycotting American products and travel. “The economy is just going to be really shaken up on both sides of the border if this continues,” Nancy said.