Record-Breaking Tourism Surge in Six Canadian Cities in 2025
Six major Canadian cities – Toronto, Vancouver, Montréal, Calgary, Edmonton, and Halifax – have shattered tourism records in the first half of 2025. This marks a remarkable recovery that surpasses pre-pandemic levels. Toronto alone welcomed close to 4 million visitors from January to June 2025, generating nearly $3.9 billion in tourism spending. This is despite a modest 1% decline in total visitor numbers compared to 2024.
The surge is driven by high-value business travelers and conference attendees who spend significantly more than leisure tourists, particularly in hospitality services. Hotel occupancy rates have maintained strong levels at 68%, while demand increased by 2%. The meetings and events segment has been particularly robust, producing over $450 million in direct economic impact for Toronto alone.
Canada’s tourism sector is forecast to contribute a record $183 billion to the national economy in 2025, supporting 1.8 million jobs according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. This growth demonstrates how the country has not only recovered from the pandemic but is entering a new era of tourism prosperity, with domestic spending projected to reach $104 billion.
- Toronto: Welcomed close to 4 million visitors
- Vancouver, Montréal, Calgary, Edmonton, and Halifax: Also broke tourism records
Get ready for your next journey – reserve your flight and place to stay today!
Source: Travel and Tour World
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