From booming post-pandemic arrivals to a surge in sustainable adventures, the latest statistics reveal Canada's tourism industry isn't just recovering—it's redefining travel with record-breaking momentum.
Key Takeaways
- In 2019, Canada recorded 22.1 million international overnight arrivals, marking a 5.2% increase from 2018.
- In 2022, overnight leisure trips by international visitors to Canada totaled 13.5 million, up 73% from 2021.
- The United States accounted for 11.7 million overnight visitors to Canada in 2019, representing 52.9% of total international arrivals.
- Tourism contributed $105.3 billion to Canada's GDP in 2023, representing 4.8% of total GDP.
- In 2022, tourism employment supported 1.8 million jobs, or 9.3% of total employment.
- International visitor spending reached $24.3 billion in 2023.
- Niagara Falls attracted 12.4 million visitors in 2023.
- Banff National Park saw 4.2 million visitors in 2022.
- Toronto welcomed 28.8 million visitors in 2023, including domestic.
- International tourists spent $27.4 billion in Canada in 2023.
- Average spending per international visitor: $2,380 in 2023.
- Domestic travelers spent $109 billion in 2023.
- In 2023, 75% of international visitors traveled for leisure purposes.
- Sustainable tourism practices adopted by 68% of operators in 2023.
- Digital bookings rose to 82% of total reservations in 2023.
Canada's tourism industry is thriving, approaching pre-pandemic levels with strong economic contributions.
Destination Popularity
- Niagara Falls attracted 12.4 million visitors in 2023.
- Banff National Park saw 4.2 million visitors in 2022.
- Toronto welcomed 28.8 million visitors in 2023, including domestic.
- Vancouver's top attractions drew 10.1 million in 2023.
- CN Tower visits: 1.9 million in 2023.
- Jasper National Park: 2.6 million visitors in 2022.
- Quebec City old town: 5.3 million overnight stays in 2023.
- Niagara-on-the-Lake: 3.7 million visitors annually pre-2020.
- Whistler Blackcomb: 2.2 million skier visits in 2022/23 season.
- Calgary Stampede attendance: 1.3 million in 2023.
- Ottawa's Parliament Hill: 3.1 million visitors in 2023.
- Prince Edward Island beaches: 1.4 million visitors in 2023.
- Gros Morne National Park: 0.2 million visitors in 2022.
- Halifax waterfront: 4.5 million visitors in 2023.
- Yukon Klondike Highway: 0.3 million drive-throughs in 2023.
- Manitoba Churchill polar bears: 8,000 visitors annually.
- Saskatchewan Regina: 1.2 million visitors in 2023.
- Toronto Islands: 1.5 million ferry passengers in 2023.
- Revelstoke Mountain Resort: 0.5 million visits in 2023.
- Cabot Trail Nova Scotia: 0.4 million drivers in 2023.
- Lake Louise: 2.8 million visitors in 2022.
- Montreal Biodome: 0.9 million in 2023.
- Winnipeg Forks Market: 4.0 million in 2023.
- Alberta Drumheller Badlands: 0.5 million in 2023.
- Victoria Butchart Gardens: 1.0 million in 2023.
- Newfoundland Iceberg Alley: 0.1 million cruise viewers in 2023.
- Kelowna Okanagan wineries: 1.2 million tastings in 2023.
- Thunder Bay Sleeping Giant: 0.3 million hikers in 2023.
Destination Popularity Interpretation
While Toronto’s 28.8 million visitors confirm our cities are a major draw, the collective pull of our natural wonders—from Niagara’s 12.4 million cascading viewers to Banff’s 4.2 million mountain gazers—proves that Canada’s true brand is beautifully untamed real estate with very good parking.
Economic Impact
- Tourism contributed $105.3 billion to Canada's GDP in 2023, representing 4.8% of total GDP.
- In 2022, tourism employment supported 1.8 million jobs, or 9.3% of total employment.
- International visitor spending reached $24.3 billion in 2023.
- Domestic tourism generated $96.7 billion in GDP contribution in 2023.
- Tourism exports totaled $28.5 billion in 2022.
- In 2019, tourism accounted for $102 billion in GDP, 5.4% share.
- Provincial tourism GDP: Ontario $28.4 billion in 2023.
- BC tourism revenue: $22.1 billion in 2023.
- Quebec tourism GDP: $17.6 billion in 2023.
- Alberta tourism supported 183,000 jobs in 2022.
- Tourism tax revenue: $15.2 billion federally in 2023.
- In 2023, accommodation sector contributed $19.4 billion to GDP.
- Food services in tourism: $24.8 billion GDP in 2023.
- Travel services exports: $12.7 billion in 2022.
- Tourism investment: $8.9 billion in capital expenditures in 2023.
- Manitoba tourism GDP: $2.1 billion in 2023.
- Saskatchewan tourism: 42,000 jobs in 2022.
- Nova Scotia tourism revenue: $3.2 billion in 2023.
- Newfoundland tourism GDP: $1.4 billion in 2023.
- PEI tourism: $0.6 billion GDP, 10% of provincial GDP in 2023.
- New Brunswick tourism jobs: 35,000 in 2023.
- Yukon tourism revenue: $0.4 billion in 2023.
- NWT tourism: $0.3 billion GDP in 2023.
- Nunavut tourism revenue: $0.2 billion in 2023.
- Total tourism labor income: $52.3 billion in 2023.
- Indirect tourism GDP multiplier effect: 1.8 in 2023.
Economic Impact Interpretation
Canada's tourism industry is the economic engine that quietly powers one in ten Canadian paychecks, proving that while Americans may come for the views, they—and more importantly, we—stay for the shopping, dining, and hotels that keep our GDP thoroughly postcard-worthy.
Industry Trends
- In 2023, 75% of international visitors traveled for leisure purposes.
- Sustainable tourism practices adopted by 68% of operators in 2023.
- Digital bookings rose to 82% of total reservations in 2023.
- Post-COVID recovery: 95% of 2019 employment levels by 2024.
- Adventure tourism segment grew 22% year-over-year in 2023.
- 42% increase in Indigenous tourism experiences booked in 2023.
- Hotel occupancy rate averaged 68% in 2023.
- EV charging stations at tourism sites doubled to 5,000 in 2023.
- 55% of visitors used mobile apps for planning in 2023.
- Winter tourism resilient with 18% growth in 2022/23.
- Culinary tourism bookings up 30% from 2022.
- Remote work nomads: 12% of long-stay visitors in 2023.
- Carbon offset programs used by 35% of airlines to Canada in 2023.
- Wellness tourism market: $4.5 billion in 2023.
- Group travel recovery: 78% of 2019 levels in 2023.
- AI personalization in recommendations: adopted by 45% sites.
- LGBTQ+ tourism marketing reached 25% more visitors.
- Multi-generational trips: 28% of domestic travel in 2023.
- Glamping sites increased 40% since 2020.
- Birdwatching tourism: 2.1 million participants annually.
- Contactless payments: 92% acceptance in 2023.
- Rural tourism visitation up 25% in 2023.
- VR previews boosted bookings by 15%.
- Solo female travel: 32% of international in 2023.
- Micro-influencer marketing ROI: 3x higher in 2023.
- Stargazing dark sky reserves: 0.8 million visits 2023.
Industry Trends Interpretation
While Canada cleverly pivots towards sustainable and digitally-enhanced adventures, attracting everyone from wellness-seekers to remote-working nomads, it turns out that the true national sport is not hockey, but rather meticulously planning a diverse and resilient comeback tour for the world.
Spending Patterns
- International tourists spent $27.4 billion in Canada in 2023.
- Average spending per international visitor: $2,380 in 2023.
- Domestic travelers spent $109 billion in 2023.
- Accommodation spending by tourists: $21.6 billion in 2023.
- Food and beverage tourist spend: $32.1 billion in 2023.
- Transportation spending in tourism: $28.9 billion in 2023.
- US visitors spent $14.2 billion in Canada in 2023.
- Overseas spending per trip: $3,450 average in 2023.
- Shopping spend by tourists: $12.4 billion in 2023.
- Recreation and entertainment: $15.7 billion tourist spend 2023.
- Ontario tourist spending: $38.5 billion in 2023.
- BC inbound spending: $15.3 billion in 2023.
- Quebec spending: $20.1 billion total tourism in 2023.
- Alberta visitor spend: $9.8 billion in 2023.
- Average hotel room rate: CAD 198/night in 2023.
- Cruise passenger spend: $0.5 billion onshore in 2023.
- Per capita domestic spend: $2,850 in 2023.
- Gaming and gambling tourist spend: $2.3 billion 2023.
- Winter sports spending: $4.1 billion in 2022/23.
- Eco-tourism spend: $6.7 billion in 2023.
- Cultural attractions spend: $8.2 billion in 2023.
- Adventure tourism: $7.5 billion spend 2023.
- Wine tourism spend: $2.9 billion in BC/Ontario 2023.
- Festival attendance spend: $3.4 billion in 2023.
- Airfare average inbound: CAD 850/trip in 2023.
- Car rental tourist spend: $1.8 billion 2023.
- National parks entry fees: $0.15 billion revenue 2023.
- Souvenirs and gifts: $4.6 billion tourist spend 2023.
- Luxury tourism spend growth: 15% in 2023.
Spending Patterns Interpretation
While the international guests generously sprinkled $27.4 billion across the country, it’s the homegrown adventurers who truly bankrolled the party, splurging a massive $109 billion proving that sometimes the best way to see Canada is simply to never leave.
Visitor Statistics
- In 2019, Canada recorded 22.1 million international overnight arrivals, marking a 5.2% increase from 2018.
- In 2022, overnight leisure trips by international visitors to Canada totaled 13.5 million, up 73% from 2021.
- The United States accounted for 11.7 million overnight visitors to Canada in 2019, representing 52.9% of total international arrivals.
- Overseas visitors to Canada numbered 9.2 million in 2022, a recovery to 73% of 2019 levels.
- In Q4 2023, Canada saw 6.4 million international air arrivals, surpassing 2019 figures by 2%.
- France was the top European source market with 1.1 million visitors to Canada in 2019.
- In 2023, total international visitor arrivals reached 19.8 million, 89.5% of pre-pandemic levels.
- Air transport accounted for 62% of international arrivals to Canada in 2022.
- Mexico sent 1.4 million tourists to Canada in 2023, a 25% increase from 2022.
- In 2019, the UK contributed 1.0 million overnight leisure visitors to Canada.
- Canada welcomed 2.3 million visitors from Asia-Pacific in 2022, recovering 65% from 2019.
- Germany ranked as the 3rd largest European market with 0.8 million visitors in 2019.
- In 2023, same-day auto arrivals from the US totaled 8.2 million.
- Australia provided 0.4 million tourists to Canada in 2019.
- Q1 2024 saw 4.7 million international visitors, up 12% year-over-year.
- India emerged as a top growth market with 0.6 million visitors in 2023.
- In 2022, total border crossings by non-residents reached 49.6 million.
- Netherlands visitors numbered 0.3 million in 2019.
- 2023 cruise passenger arrivals hit 2.1 million, 105% of 2019.
- South Korea sent 0.5 million tourists in 2019.
- In 2023, Europe represented 22% of Canada's international visitors.
- Brazil contributed 0.2 million visitors in 2019.
- January 2024 air arrivals: 1.8 million international.
- Japan visitors totaled 0.4 million in 2019.
- 2022 overnight auto trips from US: 4.1 million.
- China pre-pandemic peak: 1.2 million in 2019.
- Italy sent 0.3 million tourists in 2019.
- 2023 total US visitors: 12.5 million overnight.
- Switzerland: 0.2 million in 2019.
- 2024 projection: 25 million international arrivals.
Visitor Statistics Interpretation
Canada is steadily reclaiming its pre-pandemic mojo, with international visitors flocking back at a brisk pace, yet while our European, Asian, and other overseas friends are still cautiously re-engaging, our ever-dependable and car-loving American neighbors continue to be the backbone of our tourism industry.
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