A major shift is happening with travel in Canada right now. While your neighbours might be cancelling their usual trips to Florida or New York, they’re probably booking a weekend in the Maritimes instead.
Canadian tourism just hit a milestone that nobody saw coming, and it’s changing the way we think about vacation time. The numbers tell a story that’s got tourism experts doing double-takes at their spreadsheets.
But here’s the thing – this isn’t just about where people are going. It’s about what’s driving people to explore their own provinces and what that means for your next family getaway.
The Big Shift That’s Got Everyone Talking
Canadian tourism is up 30 per cent compared to last year, and that’s not a typo. While American travel continues to drop, Canadians are discovering their own backyard like never before.
Here’s what’s changed: families who used to pack up for Disney World are now discovering the slopes of Mont-Tremblant or the mountains of Whistler. Same vacation budget, completely different destination.
The shift is so dramatic that for the first time since June 2006, more US residents made trips to Canada than Canadian residents travelled to the United States. That’s almost 20 years of travel patterns completely flipped on their head.
Why Canadians Are Falling Back in Love with Canada
The reasons behind this Canadian tourism boom aren’t what you’d expect. Sure, exchange rates play a part, but there’s something deeper going on here.
“I used to think I needed to go somewhere exotic to have a real vacation,” says one traveller from Toronto. “Then I spent a week in Newfoundland and realized I’d been missing out on incredible experiences right here.”
In the first half of 2025, bookings by Canadians in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan climbed by more than 20 percent year-over-year. These aren’t just city destinations either – rural communities are seeing their biggest visitor numbers in decades.
The Canadian tourism industry is watching this unfold with a mix of excitement and surprise. Nobody predicted that domestic travel would become this popular this quickly.
The Money Side of Staying Home
Here’s where things get really interesting for your wallet. Canada’s Travel & Tourism sector is forecast to contribute almost $183BN to the economy in 2025, setting a new record.
That’s billion with a ‘B,’ and a lot of those dollars are coming from Canadians spending money in their own country instead of shipping it off to foreign destinations.
Domestic visitor spending is projected to reach nearly $104 billion this year. To put that in perspective, that’s more than double the growth rate from 2015.
Your local hotel, that family restaurant downtown, the adventure tour company you keep meaning to try – they’re all seeing business like they haven’t in years.
What’s Behind the US Travel Decline?
While Canadian tourism is booming at home, the traditional spring break trips to American destinations are taking a nosedive. But it’s not just about politics or border hassles.
The weak Canadian dollar makes US trips more expensive, but there’s also a growing sense that maybe we don’t need to go that far to have amazing experiences.
“Why spend $3,000 on a week in Orlando when I can have an incredible time in the Canadian Rockies for half the price?” one parent from Calgary pointed out.
American tourism operators are definitely feeling the pinch. Canadian visitors have historically been a reliable source of revenue for many US destinations, especially in border states.
The Hidden Gems Canadians Are Discovering
This Canadian tourism boom isn’t just happening in the obvious places. Sure, Banff and Quebec City are busy, but so are spots you might not expect.
Saskatchewan is seeing a tourism surge. Prince Edward Island is booked solid through the summer. Small towns across the Maritimes are scrambling to add hotel rooms and restaurant seats.
Domestic bookings are up more than 10% with growing interest in international destinations beyond the US, but the real story is how Canadians are exploring places they never considered before.
Remember that fishing lodge your uncle mentioned in northern Ontario? It’s probably fully booked now.
What This Means for Your Next Vacation
If you’re planning a trip, Canadian tourism trends suggest you might want to book early. The combination of increased domestic travel and international visitors discovering Canada means popular spots are filling up faster than usual.
But here’s the good news – there are still plenty of incredible places to explore. Canada is huge, and even with this tourism boom, there are amazing destinations that aren’t on everyone’s radar yet.
The key is thinking beyond the postcard destinations. That small town with the great hiking trails, the provincial park you’ve driven past a hundred times, the city you’ve never bothered to visit – they might be exactly what you’re looking for.
The International Angle
While Canadians are staying home more, international visitors are discovering what we’ve been missing. Canada’s Travel & Tourism sector continues to be a bright spot in the global recovery, with visitors from overseas choosing Canada over other destinations.
This creates an interesting dynamic. As Canadian tourism grows domestically, we’re also becoming more attractive to international visitors. It’s like the whole world is finally catching on to what we’ve got here.
Looking Ahead: Is This the New Normal?
Tourism spending in Canada is projected to rise by a moderate but meaningful 2–4% in 2025, which might not sound exciting until you realize this is happening during uncertain economic times.
The question everyone’s asking is whether this Canadian tourism boom will last. Are we seeing a permanent shift in how Canadians think about travel, or just a temporary blip?
Early signs suggest this might be more than a trend. When people discover that world-class experiences are available in their own country, they tend to remember that for future trips.
The Canadian tourism industry is certainly hoping this is the new reality. After years of competing with cheap flights to tropical destinations, they’re finally getting the attention they deserve from their own citizens.
This shift toward domestic travel isn’t just changing the tourism industry – it’s changing how we see our own country. And honestly, it’s about time.
