Special Discounts on Hotels, Broadway Shows, and Flights
Can the “Big Apple” Win Back Canadian Travelers?
Following a significant decline in Canadian visitors, New York City has launched its special “Northern Neighbour Deal” campaign, featuring exclusive offers at more than 40 hotels, Broadway shows, and Porter Airlines.
Special Report by Mehboob Ali Shaikh
Following a steady decline in the number of Canadians traveling to the United States, New York City has launched a major tourism campaign aimed at attracting millions of Canadian travelers back to the city.
Under the special campaign, “NYC’s Northern Neighbour Deal,” Canadian visitors will receive exclusive discounts on more than 40 renowned hotels, selected tourist attractions, restaurants, and nine popular Broadway shows from August 18 to September 7, 2026. Reservations for these offers are expected to open on August 4.
At the same time, Porter Airlines has announced a 20% discount on selected flights from various Canadian cities to New York, making trips to the city more attractive and affordable.
According to NYC Tourism + Conventions, Canada is New York City’s second-largest international tourism market.
Julie Coker, President and CEO of the organization, said that nearly one million Canadians visited New York annually in 2019. However, in recent years, that number has declined to just over 800,000.
Although there are signs of recovery in 2026, the city remains committed to bringing Canadian visitors back.
Among the well-known hotels participating in the campaign are Ace Hotel and Hard Rock Hotel New York.
The discounts extend beyond accommodations and also include several world-famous Broadway productions, including:
- Chicago
- The Book of Mormon
- Aladdin
along with several other internationally acclaimed theatre productions.
The initiative is designed to offer Canadian visitors a comprehensive package covering accommodation, entertainment, dining, and some of New York City’s most popular attractions.
To further strengthen the campaign, Porter Airlines is offering a 20% discount on selected flights from Canada to New York, with the promotion available on eligible flights from August through mid-December 2026.
However, travelers are advised to carefully review each offer’s terms and conditions, availability, travel dates, and any applicable blackout dates before booking.
In recent years, political and trade tensions between Canada and the United States, concerns surrounding border travel, the weaker Canadian dollar, and a growing preference among Canadians for domestic travel have all affected the U.S. tourism industry.
According to data released earlier in 2026, air travel between Canada and the United States declined by more than 14%, while several Canadian airlines shifted capacity away from U.S. routes toward the Caribbean and other international destinations.
The trend has not been limited to New York. Earlier, several major Las Vegas hotels also introduced special promotions, including Canadian Dollar at Par, to encourage Canadian visitors to return.
Tourism experts say Canadian travelers are an extremely valuable market for the U.S. economy. A decline in their numbers affects not only hotels but also restaurants, airlines, retail stores, Broadway theatres, and local businesses.
The key question now is whether discounts on hotels, Broadway shows, and airfares will be enough to bring Canadian tourists back to New York—or whether their travel preferences have permanently changed over the past few years.
The answer will determine the success or failure of New York City’s Northern Neighbour Deal campaign in the weeks ahead.
