Domestic spending fuelled Canada’s ‘record-breaking’ summer tourism spike

New data shows summer travel numbers have hit an all-time high, thanks in large part to increased domestic spending.

Canadian summer tourism numbers have hit an all-time high, thanks in large part to increased domestic spending.

New numbers from Crown corporation Destination Canada show the industry brought in a record-breaking amount of revenue between May and August of this year.

In total, revenue surpassed $59 billion, a six per cent jump over last year.

Domestic tourism spending accounted for a large chunk of that: it grew seven per cent this summer compared to last.

The numbers in one western province really helped drive the increase.

“2024 was record-breaking, and this year we’re really on track for another great season,” Travel Alberta’s Tannis Gaffney said.

“(As of now), we are looking at about a nine per cent increase year over year, and we’re pretty excited.”

Gaffney says it hasn’t just been Canadians in town, either.

The BMO Convention Centre opening and events like the Stampede and G7 drew in an international crowd.

Most were American, but she points to an uptick of Mexican and South Korean visitors, too.

A lot of that can be chalked up to the YYC’s travel hub and the direct flights Calgary’s airport offers.

“Businesses are thriving, people are making money here and overall, the economy is actually really picking up because of the travellers that are coming to Alberta,” Gaffney said.

“Alberta is on the map. Word is out. Everyone wants to come to our backyard, and we’re open and welcome and we’d love to have them.”

Hotel holiday

Destination Canada says all the travel has meant big things for accommodation providers.

National hotel occupancy reached 80.7 per cent in August, the highest it’s been since 2014.

The manager of the Hyatt in downtown Calgary has a guess as to why.

“It’s been driven a lot by the prime minister’s announcement earlier this year about the Canada Strong Pass,” John O’Connell told CTV News.

“That alone has helped increase vehicular traffic into Calgary to visit our national parks, since they became free during the summer.

“We’re excited Ottawa is bringing (the pass) back.”

According to Destination Canada, short-term rental occupancies also grew nationally over the summer, despite expanded supply.