Canadian tourism businesses and associations are gearing up for a busy summer as more Canadians choose to explore their own country rather than travel south to the United States.
While comprehensive booking data is still forthcoming, early indicators and industry sentiment point to travel reservations within Canada matching or surpassing last year’s levels. Andrea Mandel-Campbell, founder of Edmonton-based Karibu Adventures, notes a clear shift in consumer behaviour reminiscent of the COVID-19 pandemic period, when Canadians had limited options and focused on domestic destinations.
“This is an opportunity for Canadians to visit the places they’ve always wanted to see or are curious about,” Mandel-Campbell explains.
Heightened tensions between Canada and the U.S., including trade disputes and political rhetoric, combined with economic factors such as a weaker Canadian dollar, rising travel insurance premiums, and uncertain U.S. border policies, are driving this renewed interest in domestic travel.
As a result, the Canadian tourism sector is optimistic about capitalizing on this growing trend toward ‘staycation’ and local exploration.
