Tourism businesses nationwide will have fond memories of the summer of 2025, with record-breaking spending by tourists. Canada’s tourism sector saw a substantial revenue increase of $59 billion between May and August, marking a six per cent rise compared to the previous year. The only setback was a slight decrease of 1.7 per cent in revenue from U.S. visitors.
The surge in revenue was largely driven by Canadians opting for domestic travel, resulting in a seven per cent increase in domestic tourism. International traveler spending remained robust, especially from overseas markets, which saw a 10 per cent uptick, according to recent data from Destination Canada.
Destination Canada noted a growing interest among travelers to explore various parts of the country starting in the spring. Joe Amati, a senior executive director at Destination Canada, expressed cautious optimism regarding the momentum built in the summer, highlighting positive traveler sentiments towards visiting Canada.
Hotels experienced high occupancy rates during the summer, peaking in August at 80.7 per cent, the highest since 2014. Andrew Shepherd, the general manager of the Malcolm Hotel in Canmore, Alberta, mentioned an influx of international and American guests in awe of the beauty of the Rocky Mountains.
While final summer revenue figures are pending, Shepherd anticipates an increase compared to 2024. Brent Koinberg, owner of Crowsnest Adventures in southwest Alberta, reported a successful summer with a quadrupling of tours and customers, including a significant number of international bookings.
Overall, the summer of 2025 showcased a positive trend in tourism, with 89 per cent of regions in Canada experiencing year-over-year growth, with Atlantic Canada recording some of the highest growth rates in the country.