Canada’s tourism industry experienced a record-breaking summer in 2025, generating nearly $60 billion in revenue between May and August, according to Destination Canada.
The Crown corporation reported recently that the $59-billion total marked a 6 per cent year-over-year increase, driven by both domestic and international travel. The organization said the strong season “successfully spread economic benefits across the entire country.”
“The record revenue was driven by a strong base of Canadian travellers who chose to explore our country like never before, with the highest domestic growth coming from Canadians travelling outside of their home province,” Destination Canada said in a release.
Of the total, $44.4 billion came from Canadian travellers and $14.6 billion from international visitors. Overseas markets saw the biggest surge, with international visitor spending up 10 per cent and visitors spending more per trip overall.
Destination Canada described the growth as a “truly national economic contribution,” noting that 89 per cent of Canadian regions posted year-over-year gains. Fifty-nine per cent of those regions outpaced growth in major metropolitan areas. Atlantic Canada was cited as a standout performer, recording some of the highest growth rates in the country.
Domestic tourism spending rose 7 per cent over last year, with inter-provincial travel seeing the largest jump. The accommodation sector also saw broad gains, with national hotel occupancy reaching 80.7 per cent in August — the highest since 2014.
Both hotel and short-term rental occupancies increased despite expanded supply, a “clear sign of stronger travel demand,” the organization said. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) rose 6.6 per cent over the summer. Manitoba, Vancouver Island, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick recorded the sharpest occupancy increases.
“The overall strength, resilience, and geographic reach achieved this summer point to a new phase of opportunity for Canada’s tourism sector,” Destination Canada said.
Destination Canada said its $59-billion estimate was based on data from its Lodging Aligned Spending Report and Statistics Canada’s National Tourism Indicators, validated with accommodation industry statistics.
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