A strong increase in Canadian domestic visits helped Montreal boost its visitor numbers by more than seven per cent last year.
Tourisme Montréal today (Feb. 17) said the city attracted 11.8 million visitors last year, up 7.3% from 2024.
Domestic travel continued to rise, with the Canadian market up 10%, fuelled by strong gains from several provinces, especially those in the Atlantic region (+17%). U.S. visits dipped in the middle of 2024, but the year ended with a more moderate decline of 5%. Overseas markets posted 2% growth overall. France set a new record with more than 470,000 visitors, a 2% increase from 2024.
An installation outside the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. JIM BYERS PHOTO
The rise in domestic visits to Montreal is no surprise. A recent Flight Centre Canada survey found that 37% of Canadians list domestic trips as their top travel priority for this year, followed by Europe (25%), Mexico and Asia (nine per cent) and the U.S. (eight per cent).
Montreal isn’t the only Canadian city benefitting from an increase in domestic visitors. Destination Toronto recently announced that a record 28.2 million visitors came to the city in 2025. Domestic tourism was up 3% for the year, totaling some 25 million visits.
MAJOR MEXICO FLIGHT BOOST FOR AIR CANADA THIS SUMMER
Air Canada today announced it is strategically expanding its summer schedule to Mexico, with 18% more seat capacity over last summer.
While Canada and Mexico are deepening ties, the airline is further strengthening its schedule to Mexico to support growing travel to and from Mexico, officials said.
Highlights of Air Canada’s Mexican network growth include the addition of new, year-round flights from Montréal to Guadalajara, as well as increased frequencies to Cancún, Monterrey, Mexico City and Puerto Vallarta, four in-demand destinations with Canadians and international travellers alike.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Chris McQueen/Unsplash Photo
Air Canada and other Canadian airlines have been cutting back on flights to the U.S. given the current political climate. Canadian airlines also are unable to fly to Cuba for the next few months given the lack of aviation fuel on the island.
“We continue to expand Air Canada’s far-reaching and diversified global network with improved connectivity between our hubs and cities across Mexico,” said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, and President of Cargo at Air Canada. “Since 1954, Mexico has been an important part of our global network, and this summer, Air Canada’s added capacity will further reinforce the long-standing tourism and commercial ties between our two countries.
“Taking advantage of growing passenger and cargo demand strength, new service between Montréal and Guadalajara will be offered year-round and we will increase capacity to other sought-after destinations across the country,” he said.
“Air travel facilitates tourism, trade and connectivity, and Mexico is part of Air Canada’s larger Latin America strategy of enabling fast, convenient passenger and cargo connections through our Canadian gateways to our comprehensive network across all six inhabited continents,” Galardo added.
Flights are available for purchase now at aircanada.com.
WESTJET AND VIRGIN ATLANTIC EXPAND LOYALTY BENEFITS
WestJet and Virgin Atlantic have joined forces to deliver more value to their loyalty members. Beginning today, WestJet Rewards and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club members can earn points with their preferred loyalty program on each other’s entire network including VS-WS codeshare flights.
“The update to the partnership is particularly meaningful for WestJet guests travelling on Virgin Atlantic’s Toronto (YYZ) – London (LHR) route, which serves as a popular bridge for thousands of Canadians that connect through Toronto Pearson to reach Virgin Atlantic’s primary hub at London Heathrow,” officials said.
