From British Columbia’s misty fjords to the red cliffs of Prince Edward Island, Canada’s tourism sector just wrapped up its most profitable summer ever.
According to Destination Canada, tourism revenues from May through August reached $59 billion, marking a 6 percent increase over 2024 and setting a new all-time record.
“It was a summer to remember for guides, hoteliers, and restaurateurs alike,” the report notes, painting a picture of full patios, packed trails, and vibrant cities.
Domestic travel leads the surge
The key driver? Canadians choosing to travel at home.
Domestic tourism spending grew by about 7 percent, as families rediscovered their national parks, young travelers flocked to craft breweries, and retirees explored the scenic byways of the Maritimes.
“We’ve seen steady growth from both international markets and Canadians eager to explore their own country,” said Joe Amati, an executive at Destination Canada.
Searches for destinations like Yukon’s midnight sun and Quebec’s lavender fields turned into actual bookings, fueling what Amati called a “nationwide tourism renaissance.”
Global visitors fill the gap
While spending from U.S. visitors dipped 1.7 percent, overseas arrivals more than made up the difference.
Travelers from the UK, Australia, and across Europe flocked to Canada’s wide landscapes—from Vancouver’s sea wall to Banff’s peaks—driving a 10 percent rise in international revenue.
Hotels were packed nationwide, with occupancy rates averaging 80.7 percent in August, the highest since before the pandemic. Toronto’s downtown hotels and Banff’s resorts saw near-constant full bookings, while smaller properties across the country benefited from the boom.
As Destination Canada summed it up: “Familiarity, beauty, and a sense of safety have made Canada this summer’s ultimate destination.”