Hey Canada! Summer tourism numbers reach all-time high

Tourism operators across the country will remember the summer of 2025 fondly, as the amount of money spent by tourists has reached an all-time high.

Canada’s tourism sector generated record-breaking revenue between May and August, reaching $59 billion, up six per cent from the same period last year.

Most of the revenue was the result of Canadians spending on travel within the country, as domestic tourism increased by seven per cent. Revenue from international travelers remained strong, especially from overseas markets, increasing 10 per cent, according to new data released Thursday by Destination Canada.

Hotels remained busy during the summer months, especially in August, when national hotel occupancy reached 80.7 percent, the highest since 2014.

“Touring was really good for me this summer,” said Brent Koinenberg, owner of Crowsnest Adventures, which offers guided ATV and other tours through the mountains in southwest Alberta.

Koenberg said business has been booming this summer as tours and the number of customers have quadrupled from last year. About 40 percent of their bookings were from international passengers.

“It was incredible,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of families already booked for next year.”

Canadians were also spreading the wealth, according to the report, as 89 per cent of regions recorded year-over-year growth, with Atlantic Canada seeing the highest growth rate in the country.