A new list of the top 10 food and wine cities in the world leads with Hong Kong. I also have updates on ambitious, new plans to boost tourism in Toronto and across Canada, plus Expedia tips on where to go in Canada and Europe this year, and the ideal time to book your trip.
Food and Wine magazine also looked at the world’s best cities for food and wine.
Here’s their top 10 for world cities:
- Hong Kong (truly spectacular cuisine)
- London (it wouldn’t have made the list 25 or 30 years ago, but the city has come a long, long way)
- Tokyo (very deserving)
- Mexico City (ditto)
- Bangkok (who doesn’t love Thai food?)
- Lima (exceptional Peruvian-Japanese fusion cuisine)
- Barcelona (a trailblazer in both culture and cuisine)
- Paris (you can’t go wrong with classic French food)
- Copenhagen (I don’t know the food scene here, but the reviews have been off the charts the past dozen years or so)
- Istanbul (I enjoyed several fine meals in the city during a visit in late 2024)
A selection of dishes in Hong Kong.
CANADIAN AND TORONTO TOURISM FOLKS AIM HIGH
Both Destination Canada and Destination Toronto (formerly Tourism Toronto) this week came out with new reports/plans for the new future. I’m always skeptical of these things, but I think there’s reason to be optimistic about Canada’s tourism sector for a number of reasons.
First, a bit of detail.
Canada’s tourism sector is entering a promising 2026 with tourism revenue outpacing the broader economy, according to Destination Canada’s Canadian Tourism Outlook
2026–2035, prepared with Tourism Economics. Canada is in the race to seize a greater share of the USD $2.1 trillion* global market for international visitor spending.
• The outlook forecasts tourism spending in Canada will expand by 6.0% in 2026, ahead of the 5.4% projected in previous outlooks.
• By 2035, total tourism revenue is projected to reach $216.3 billion, up 67% from 2024 levels.
Overseas markets are the sector’s export acceleration engine, forecast to grow 9.8% annually through 2035, roughly double the US pace, strengthening diversification across markets, seasons and sources of demand.
Destination Toronto this week launched the Toronto Destination Master Plan: a bold, city-building roadmap that sets a shared course for the future of Toronto’s visitor economy, developed jointly with a broad coalition of industry and community leaders.
Toronto sign at the CN Tower. JIM BYERS PHOTO
- For one, the ongoing war in the Middle East makes Canada look like a safe haven.
- Secondly, there’s Donald Trump. Foreign visits to the U.S. are down sharply from some parts of the world. Canada is likely seen as a bit safer or more stable tourism destination by many people. Canadians also are showing a strong increase in their desire to spend their dollars at home this year, and not in the U.S. That could change, but I don’t see it happening anytime soon.
- Several studies in the past year or so have talked about how climate change has would-be tourists looking for cooler places to visit, or “coolcations.” New data released this week from Trip.com Group shows a 74% year-on-year (YoY) increase in searches for cooler destinations and coolcations since the start of this year, as travellers seek to escape the heat, shifting their attention to places that offer more comfortable climates and less overcrowding experiences.. This figure is expected to peak further during the summer months, with a search volume growth of 237% from June to August last year compared to the same period in 2024.
- Another factor at work is the Canadian dollar. It can fluctuate, but right now Canada is an awfully good deal for Europeans and U.S. visitors.
- Lastly, I saw just this week that Canada and China have agreed to boost the number of flights between the two countries. China is an immense market and a huge source of visitors for Canadian destinations, including Vancouver and Toronto. Any move, even a small one, that increases air connections between the two countries will definitely help Canadian tourism.
EXPEDIA TRAVEL TIPS FOR CANADA AND EUROPE: WHERE TO GO AND WHEN TO BOOK
Expedia Canada says domestic destinations dominate summer plans this year, as Canadians seek out shorter trips, lower transportation costs, and value-driven stays.
Check out the view from the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in Alberta. JIM BYERS PHOTO
Among the most popular domestic destinations this summer are Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal, while trending spots show rising interest in nature-forward and secondary cities, including:
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Edmonton (+35%)
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Jasper (+35%)
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Halifax (+25%)
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Charlottetown (+20%)
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Moncton (+20%)
Affordable domestic travel continues to be a strong draw, with cities like Regina, Windsor, Edmonton and Saskatoon (a terrific city) ranking among the most affordable destinations to stay, and destinations such as Abbotsford, Penticton and Cranbrook among the cheapest to fly within Canada this summer.
Europe holds strong appeal despite cost pressures1
Even as travellers look locally to save, Europe remains firmly on Canadians’ wish lists—particularly destinations that offer culture, history and strong value outside peak capitals.
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Sicily, Italy (+115%)
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Puglia, Italy (+80%)
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Balearic Islands, Spain (+75%)
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Copenhagen, Denmark (+70%)
These trends suggest Canadians are being selective with long-haul travel—opting for destinations that offer the most impact for their travel investment.
The Palermo Cathedral in Sicily, Italy. JIM BYERS PHOTO
Timing and value matter more than ever
As price sensitivity grows, Canadians are paying closer attention to when they travel. Expedia data shows that June remains the cheapest time to fly domestically, while late August offers opportunities for savings internationally. Avoiding peak travel days and exploring flexible stay options can also help travellers reduce costs.
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Cheapest Days to Fly Domestically: June 5 and 11
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Cheapest Days to Fly Internationally: June 4 and August 31
