Tour operators across the country will fondly remember the summer of 2025, when the amount of money spent by tourists reached an all-time high.
Canada’s tourism sector generated a record amount of revenue between May and August, reaching $59 billion, an increase of six per cent compared to the same period last year.
Most of the revenue was a result of Canadians choosing to spend their money on travel within the country, as domestic tourism increased seven per cent. Revenue from international travelers remained strong, particularly from overseas markets, which increased 10 per cent, according to new figures released by Destination Canada on Thursday.
Hotels remained busy during the summer months, especially in August, when national hotel occupancy reached 80.7 percent, the highest since 2014.
“This summer’s tourism was really good for me,” said Brent Koinberg, owner of Crowsnest Adventures, which offers guided ATV and other tours in the mountains of southwestern Alberta.
Business was booming this summer, with the number of tours and clients quadrupling compared to last year, Koinberg said. About 40 percent of its bookings came from international travelers.
“It was incredible,” he said. “I also have a lot of families booked for next year.”
Canadians were also spreading the wealth, as 89 per cent of regions recorded year-over-year growth, according to the report, and Atlantic Canada experienced some of the highest growth rates in the country.
