Domestic tourist destinations gaining popularity among Canadians

In the first half of 2025, Canadians have shown a significant shift in their travel habits, with a growing trend to skip travel to the United States. This change is reflected in various travel data, including a 10% increase in Canadians booking domestic travel and a 20% growth in bookings for certain domestic destinations, such as Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and popular cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal.

The ongoing trade war and tariffs between Canada and the U.S. are believed to be contributing factors to this shift. However, the trend isn't just limited to major cities. AirBnB data suggests that demand for travel isn't limited to urban hubs, but also extends to smaller towns and rural communities.

Statistics Canada reported that the number of Canadians traveling to the U.S. dropped for the seventh straight month, with a total of 77.4 million trips taken within Canada and abroad during the first quarter of 2025, representing a 1.3% increase from the same quarter in 2024.

Flight Centre Canada also reported a 5% increase in Canadians traveling domestically, with popular destinations including Banff, Halifax, and Victoria. Banff and Jasper National Parks have seen an increase in international travelers, including Americans, choosing to explore Canada. Canadian visitors make up 50% of summer guests in Banff and Jasper, with an over 10% increase in Canadian guests this summer compared to last year.

To further encourage Canadians to explore their own country, the Canada Strong Pass was launched in July. This pass offers free admission and reduced fees at national parks, museums, and galleries, as well as discounted or reduced admission for younger Canadians to some galleries, museums, and Via Rail.

Some of the specific trending destinations within Canada include West Kelowna, B.C.; Blue Mountain, Ont.; Regina, Sask.; Gatineau, Que.; and Canmore, Alta. The Canada Strong Pass grants free admission and reduced camping fees at national parks, making these destinations more accessible and attractive to Canadians.

This shift towards domestic and non-U.S. travel represents a significant change in Canadian travel patterns and offers a boost to certain domestic locations, according to AirBnB. As the summer season continues, it will be interesting to see how these trends evolve and which destinations emerge as the most popular among Canadians.