Canada’s domestic travel boom shows no signs of slowing down. New Airbnb data showed that domestic bookings jumped by more than 10% in the first half of the year compared to 2024—confirming the momentum in domestic travel has real staying power.
Travellers are choosing to explore closer to home, spending their travel dollars locally and supporting Canadian hosts, small businesses, and communities in doing so. And that’s wonderful to hear. I haven’t had much time off this summer but my wife and I are planning three days at Elmhirst’s Resort near Peterborough, Ontario later this month.
This surge in domestic travel is happening nationwide. Nearly every province and territory—12 out of 132—saw growth this year, with smaller towns and rural communities attracting more visitors, driving the economic benefits of tourism beyond major hubs.
Provinces leading the surge in domestic travel
A village in Newfoundland & Labrador. Jim Byers Photo
In the first half of 2025, bookings by Canadians in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan climbed by more than 20 % year over year, underscoring significant growth in both urban and rural communities.
“The vast majority of bookings in Canada were already domestic, so to see a surge this big is especially significant. Canadians are continuing to explore their own country, and that’s delivering real economic benefits for hosts, small businesses, and communities nationwide. Domestic travel is becoming a lasting part of our identity, and Canadian hosts are helping make that possible in communities of all sizes,” said Hannah Parish, Country Manager, Canada.
Canadian destinations driving the domestic travel boom
From coastal towns to mountain escapes, Canadian travellers are spreading out and discovering new corners of the country, with destinations out west seeing a surge in domestic bookings. Some of the top trending destinations include:
- West Kelowna, BC
- Regina, SK
- Gatineau, QC
- Langley, BC
- Whistler, BC
- Canmore, AB
- Blue Mountain, ON
- Ucluelet, BC
Canadians are expanding their horizons abroad
Paris. Chris Karidis/Unsplash Photo
Canadians are showing more appetite for non-US international trips. There’s been a nearly double-digit increase in international bookings to destinations outside the US compared to the first half of 2024, with a double-digit increase in bookings to Japan, Brazil, the Philippines, France, Thailand, and Mexico.
Top trending international destinations for Canadians in 2025
Canadian guests are booking trips to a diverse range of international destination, including:
- Sumida, Japan
- Naniwa Ward, Japan
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Casablanca, Morocco
- Nakano, Japan
- São Paulo, Brazil
- Yuma, Dominican Republic
- Paris, France
- Los Cabos, Mexico
- Bahia de Banderas, Mexico
