GITNUXREPORT 2026

Canada Travel Industry Statistics

Canada's tourism industry surged in 2023, generating massive revenue and record employment.

How We Build This Report

01
Primary Source Collection

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

02
Editorial Curation

Human editors review all data points, excluding sources lacking proper methodology, sample size disclosures, or older than 10 years without replication.

03
AI-Powered Verification

Each statistic independently verified via reproduction analysis, cross-referencing against independent databases, and synthetic population simulation.

04
Human Cross-Check

Final human editorial review of all AI-verified statistics. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited they are.

Statistics that could not be independently verified are excluded regardless of how widely cited they are elsewhere.

Our process →

Key Statistics

Statistic 1

Hotel room occupancy rate averaged 68% across Canada in 2023

Statistic 2

Total hotel rooms in Canada numbered 378,000 in 2023

Statistic 3

Average daily rate (ADR) for hotels was CAD 192 in 2023, up 8% YoY

Statistic 4

Revenue per available room (RevPAR) reached CAD 131 in 2023

Statistic 5

Toronto hotel occupancy 72% in 2023

Statistic 6

Vancouver ADR CAD 245 in 2023

Statistic 7

Airbnb listings grew to 125,000 active in Canada in 2023

Statistic 8

Short-term rental revenue $3.2 billion in 2023

Statistic 9

Campgrounds and RV sites saw 15.2 million stays in 2023

Statistic 10

Luxury hotel segment grew 12% in occupancy to 75% in 2023

Statistic 11

Budget hotels ADR CAD 135 in 2023

Statistic 12

Midscale hotels dominated with 45% market share in 2023

Statistic 13

Banff/Lake Louise hotels 85% occupancy peak season 2023

Statistic 14

Quebec City heritage hotels ADR CAD 210 in 2023

Statistic 15

Calgary hotels recovered to 65% occupancy post-Stampede 2023

Statistic 16

Ottawa government hotels 70% occupancy in 2023

Statistic 17

Halifax waterfront hotels ADR CAD 185 in 2023

Statistic 18

Resort properties RevPAR CAD 250 in 2023

Statistic 19

Eco-lodges increased 18% in bookings in 2023

Statistic 20

Timeshare and condo hotels 8% market growth in 2023

Statistic 21

Food and beverage revenue in hotels $12.4 billion in 2023

Statistic 22

Conference centers hosted 2.1 million delegate days in 2023

Statistic 23

Adventure tourism bookings surged 28% in 2023 to 15.6 million participants

Statistic 24

National parks visitation totaled 29.1 million in 2023

Statistic 25

Niagara Falls attraction visits 13.2 million in 2023

Statistic 26

CN Tower tickets sold 1.8 million in 2023

Statistic 27

Banff Gondola rides 450,000 in 2023

Statistic 28

Whistler Blackcomb ski visits 2.1 million in 2023 season

Statistic 29

Rocky Mountaineer train scenic trips 28,000 passengers 2023

Statistic 30

Polar bear tours in Churchill 12,500 visitors in 2023

Statistic 31

Aurora viewing tours 180,000 participants in 2023

Statistic 32

Whale watching trips 250,000 in BC waters 2023

Statistic 33

Cultural festivals drew 45 million attendees in 2023

Statistic 34

Calgary Stampede visitors 1.2 million in 2023

Statistic 35

Toronto International Film Festival 500,000 attendees 2023

Statistic 36

Montreal Jazz Festival 2.3 million visitors 2023

Statistic 37

Indigenous cultural experiences 3.4 million in 2023

Statistic 38

Wine tours in Okanagan 850,000 visitors 2023

Statistic 39

Golf rounds played by tourists 12.5 million in 2023

Statistic 40

Fishing licenses issued to tourists 1.1 million in 2023

Statistic 41

Hiking trail users in parks 18.7 million in 2023

Statistic 42

Canoeing and kayaking rentals 950,000 in 2023

Statistic 43

In 2023, Canada's tourism industry generated $128.4 billion in total economic output, representing 6.6% of national GDP

Statistic 44

Tourism direct GDP contribution in Canada reached $49.2 billion in 2023, up 15% from 2022

Statistic 45

Employment in Canada's tourism sector totaled 1.87 million jobs in 2023, accounting for 9.4% of total employment

Statistic 46

International visitor spending in Canada was $27.5 billion in 2023, a 24% increase year-over-year

Statistic 47

Domestic tourism spending contributed $92.1 billion to Canada's economy in 2023

Statistic 48

Tourism exports from Canada hit $22.8 billion in 2023, driven by overseas markets

Statistic 49

The accommodation and food services subsector added $38.7 billion to GDP in 2023

Statistic 50

Travel trade surplus for Canada was $11.2 billion in 2023 due to inbound tourism

Statistic 51

Quebec's tourism GDP contribution was $15.3 billion in 2023, 7.8% of provincial GDP

Statistic 52

British Columbia tourism generated $23.1 billion in GDP impact in 2023

Statistic 53

Ontario's tourism sector output reached $36.4 billion in 2023

Statistic 54

Alberta tourism economic impact was $11.8 billion in 2023

Statistic 55

Tourism multiplier effect in Canada was 1.8 for every dollar spent in 2023

Statistic 56

Investment in tourism infrastructure totaled $4.2 billion in Canada in 2023

Statistic 57

Tax revenue from tourism reached $24.6 billion federally and provincially in 2023

Statistic 58

Newfoundland and Labrador tourism GDP was $1.9 billion in 2023

Statistic 59

Manitoba tourism economic output $3.4 billion in 2023

Statistic 60

Saskatchewan tourism contributed $2.7 billion to GDP in 2023

Statistic 61

Nova Scotia tourism GDP impact $3.1 billion in 2023

Statistic 62

Prince Edward Island tourism generated $0.6 billion in 2023

Statistic 63

New Brunswick tourism economic impact $2.2 billion in 2023

Statistic 64

Yukon tourism GDP $0.4 billion in 2023

Statistic 65

Northwest Territories tourism output $0.3 billion in 2023

Statistic 66

Nunavut tourism economic impact $0.2 billion in 2023

Statistic 67

Winter tourism GDP contribution $28.5 billion in 2023

Statistic 68

Summer tourism output $65.2 billion in 2023

Statistic 69

Shoulder season tourism $34.7 billion in 2023

Statistic 70

Adventure tourism subsector $18.9 billion GDP in 2023

Statistic 71

Cultural tourism economic impact $22.4 billion in 2023

Statistic 72

Canada air passenger traffic reached 164 million in 2023, up 22% YoY

Statistic 73

Toronto Pearson Airport handled 45.2 million passengers in 2023

Statistic 74

Vancouver International Airport 26.8 million passengers in 2023

Statistic 75

Montreal-Trudeau Airport 21.1 million in 2023

Statistic 76

Calgary Airport 18.4 million passengers in 2023

Statistic 77

Domestic air travel 112 million passengers in 2023

Statistic 78

Transborder air passengers 38 million in 2023

Statistic 79

International air arrivals 14 million in 2023

Statistic 80

Average flight load factor 82% in Canadian airlines 2023

Statistic 81

WestJet carried 25.6 million passengers in 2023

Statistic 82

Air Canada 50.2 million passengers in 2023

Statistic 83

VIA Rail transported 4.7 million passengers in 2023

Statistic 84

High-speed rail demand projected but Amtrak to Montreal 1.2 million

Statistic 85

Road trips accounted for 75% of domestic travel in 2023

Statistic 86

Rental car revenue $5.8 billion in 2023

Statistic 87

Cruise passengers to Canada 2.9 million in 2023

Statistic 88

Port of Vancouver cruise calls 325 in 2023

Statistic 89

Ferry passengers BC Ferries 22.1 million in 2023

Statistic 90

Electric vehicle rentals up 45% in tourism hotspots 2023

Statistic 91

Bike-sharing trips 12.4 million in major cities 2023

Statistic 92

Public transit ridership in tourism cities 1.2 billion trips 2023

Statistic 93

Tofino cruise tender passengers 150,000 in 2023

Statistic 94

Jasper shuttle services carried 450,000 in 2023

Statistic 95

Canada welcomed 20.4 million international overnight visitors in 2023, up 34% from 2022

Statistic 96

US visitors to Canada numbered 12.8 million in 2023, representing 62% of total international arrivals

Statistic 97

Overseas visitors to Canada reached 5.1 million in 2023, a 52% increase YoY

Statistic 98

Average length of stay for international visitors was 14.2 nights in 2023

Statistic 99

55% of international visitors to Canada were from Europe in 2023

Statistic 100

Asia-Pacific visitors totaled 2.3 million in 2023, 11% of total

Statistic 101

Mexico accounted for 0.9 million visitors to Canada in 2023

Statistic 102

Repeat visitors made up 42% of international arrivals in 2023

Statistic 103

68% of visitors traveled for leisure in 2023

Statistic 104

Business travelers numbered 3.2 million international in 2023

Statistic 105

VFR (visiting friends and relatives) trips totaled 4.1 million in 2023

Statistic 106

Toronto welcomed 9.2 million visitors in 2023

Statistic 107

Vancouver international arrivals 6.8 million in 2023

Statistic 108

Montreal visitor numbers 8.1 million in 2023

Statistic 109

Niagara Falls region saw 14.5 million visitors in 2023

Statistic 110

Banff National Park had 4.2 million visitors in 2023

Statistic 111

Average age of international visitors was 45 years in 2023

Statistic 112

52% of visitors were female in 2023

Statistic 113

Families represented 28% of travel parties in 2023

Statistic 114

Millennials (25-40) comprised 35% of visitors in 2023

Statistic 115

Domestic trips totaled 432 million in 2023

Statistic 116

Overnight domestic trips 157 million in 2023

Statistic 117

Same-day domestic trips 275 million in 2023

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Canada’s tourism industry isn't just a scenic backdrop—it's a $128.4 billion economic powerhouse that powered 1.87 million jobs in 2023 alone.

Key Takeaways

  • In 2023, Canada's tourism industry generated $128.4 billion in total economic output, representing 6.6% of national GDP
  • Tourism direct GDP contribution in Canada reached $49.2 billion in 2023, up 15% from 2022
  • Employment in Canada's tourism sector totaled 1.87 million jobs in 2023, accounting for 9.4% of total employment
  • Canada welcomed 20.4 million international overnight visitors in 2023, up 34% from 2022
  • US visitors to Canada numbered 12.8 million in 2023, representing 62% of total international arrivals
  • Overseas visitors to Canada reached 5.1 million in 2023, a 52% increase YoY
  • Hotel room occupancy rate averaged 68% across Canada in 2023
  • Total hotel rooms in Canada numbered 378,000 in 2023
  • Average daily rate (ADR) for hotels was CAD 192 in 2023, up 8% YoY
  • Canada air passenger traffic reached 164 million in 2023, up 22% YoY
  • Toronto Pearson Airport handled 45.2 million passengers in 2023
  • Vancouver International Airport 26.8 million passengers in 2023
  • Adventure tourism bookings surged 28% in 2023 to 15.6 million participants
  • National parks visitation totaled 29.1 million in 2023
  • Niagara Falls attraction visits 13.2 million in 2023

Canada's tourism industry surged in 2023, generating massive revenue and record employment.

Accommodation Sector

1Hotel room occupancy rate averaged 68% across Canada in 2023
Verified
2Total hotel rooms in Canada numbered 378,000 in 2023
Verified
3Average daily rate (ADR) for hotels was CAD 192 in 2023, up 8% YoY
Verified
4Revenue per available room (RevPAR) reached CAD 131 in 2023
Directional
5Toronto hotel occupancy 72% in 2023
Single source
6Vancouver ADR CAD 245 in 2023
Verified
7Airbnb listings grew to 125,000 active in Canada in 2023
Verified
8Short-term rental revenue $3.2 billion in 2023
Verified
9Campgrounds and RV sites saw 15.2 million stays in 2023
Directional
10Luxury hotel segment grew 12% in occupancy to 75% in 2023
Single source
11Budget hotels ADR CAD 135 in 2023
Verified
12Midscale hotels dominated with 45% market share in 2023
Verified
13Banff/Lake Louise hotels 85% occupancy peak season 2023
Verified
14Quebec City heritage hotels ADR CAD 210 in 2023
Directional
15Calgary hotels recovered to 65% occupancy post-Stampede 2023
Single source
16Ottawa government hotels 70% occupancy in 2023
Verified
17Halifax waterfront hotels ADR CAD 185 in 2023
Verified
18Resort properties RevPAR CAD 250 in 2023
Verified
19Eco-lodges increased 18% in bookings in 2023
Directional
20Timeshare and condo hotels 8% market growth in 2023
Single source
21Food and beverage revenue in hotels $12.4 billion in 2023
Verified
22Conference centers hosted 2.1 million delegate days in 2023
Verified

Accommodation Sector Interpretation

Despite a robust 68% national occupancy and soaring luxury rates, the Canadian travel scene reveals a delightfully fragmented character, where a splurge on a Banff suite, a night in a Halifax heritage inn, a trendy eco-lodge stay, a budget motel, a campsite under the stars, and a downtown Airbnb are all vigorously competing for the same traveler's wallet—and appetite, given that $12.4 billion was spent just on hotel meals.

Attractions and Activities

1Adventure tourism bookings surged 28% in 2023 to 15.6 million participants
Verified
2National parks visitation totaled 29.1 million in 2023
Verified
3Niagara Falls attraction visits 13.2 million in 2023
Verified
4CN Tower tickets sold 1.8 million in 2023
Directional
5Banff Gondola rides 450,000 in 2023
Single source
6Whistler Blackcomb ski visits 2.1 million in 2023 season
Verified
7Rocky Mountaineer train scenic trips 28,000 passengers 2023
Verified
8Polar bear tours in Churchill 12,500 visitors in 2023
Verified
9Aurora viewing tours 180,000 participants in 2023
Directional
10Whale watching trips 250,000 in BC waters 2023
Single source
11Cultural festivals drew 45 million attendees in 2023
Verified
12Calgary Stampede visitors 1.2 million in 2023
Verified
13Toronto International Film Festival 500,000 attendees 2023
Verified
14Montreal Jazz Festival 2.3 million visitors 2023
Directional
15Indigenous cultural experiences 3.4 million in 2023
Single source
16Wine tours in Okanagan 850,000 visitors 2023
Verified
17Golf rounds played by tourists 12.5 million in 2023
Verified
18Fishing licenses issued to tourists 1.1 million in 2023
Verified
19Hiking trail users in parks 18.7 million in 2023
Directional
20Canoeing and kayaking rentals 950,000 in 2023
Single source

Attractions and Activities Interpretation

Evidently, Canada’s 2023 tourism numbers reveal a nation where over fifteen million adventurers are willingly trading their creature comforts for a chance to be awed, chilled, and possibly nibbled by nature, all while another forty-five million prove that culture—from cinematic masterpieces to grape-stomping festivities—can be just as thrilling as any grizzly bear.

Economic Impact

1In 2023, Canada's tourism industry generated $128.4 billion in total economic output, representing 6.6% of national GDP
Verified
2Tourism direct GDP contribution in Canada reached $49.2 billion in 2023, up 15% from 2022
Verified
3Employment in Canada's tourism sector totaled 1.87 million jobs in 2023, accounting for 9.4% of total employment
Verified
4International visitor spending in Canada was $27.5 billion in 2023, a 24% increase year-over-year
Directional
5Domestic tourism spending contributed $92.1 billion to Canada's economy in 2023
Single source
6Tourism exports from Canada hit $22.8 billion in 2023, driven by overseas markets
Verified
7The accommodation and food services subsector added $38.7 billion to GDP in 2023
Verified
8Travel trade surplus for Canada was $11.2 billion in 2023 due to inbound tourism
Verified
9Quebec's tourism GDP contribution was $15.3 billion in 2023, 7.8% of provincial GDP
Directional
10British Columbia tourism generated $23.1 billion in GDP impact in 2023
Single source
11Ontario's tourism sector output reached $36.4 billion in 2023
Verified
12Alberta tourism economic impact was $11.8 billion in 2023
Verified
13Tourism multiplier effect in Canada was 1.8 for every dollar spent in 2023
Verified
14Investment in tourism infrastructure totaled $4.2 billion in Canada in 2023
Directional
15Tax revenue from tourism reached $24.6 billion federally and provincially in 2023
Single source
16Newfoundland and Labrador tourism GDP was $1.9 billion in 2023
Verified
17Manitoba tourism economic output $3.4 billion in 2023
Verified
18Saskatchewan tourism contributed $2.7 billion to GDP in 2023
Verified
19Nova Scotia tourism GDP impact $3.1 billion in 2023
Directional
20Prince Edward Island tourism generated $0.6 billion in 2023
Single source
21New Brunswick tourism economic impact $2.2 billion in 2023
Verified
22Yukon tourism GDP $0.4 billion in 2023
Verified
23Northwest Territories tourism output $0.3 billion in 2023
Verified
24Nunavut tourism economic impact $0.2 billion in 2023
Directional
25Winter tourism GDP contribution $28.5 billion in 2023
Single source
26Summer tourism output $65.2 billion in 2023
Verified
27Shoulder season tourism $34.7 billion in 2023
Verified
28Adventure tourism subsector $18.9 billion GDP in 2023
Verified
29Cultural tourism economic impact $22.4 billion in 2023
Directional

Economic Impact Interpretation

Canada’s tourism industry isn't just a scenic postcard—it’s a colossal economic engine, fueling one in ten jobs and generating a travel trade surplus, all while proving that from coast to coast to coast, adventure and culture are serious business.

Transportation

1Canada air passenger traffic reached 164 million in 2023, up 22% YoY
Verified
2Toronto Pearson Airport handled 45.2 million passengers in 2023
Verified
3Vancouver International Airport 26.8 million passengers in 2023
Verified
4Montreal-Trudeau Airport 21.1 million in 2023
Directional
5Calgary Airport 18.4 million passengers in 2023
Single source
6Domestic air travel 112 million passengers in 2023
Verified
7Transborder air passengers 38 million in 2023
Verified
8International air arrivals 14 million in 2023
Verified
9Average flight load factor 82% in Canadian airlines 2023
Directional
10WestJet carried 25.6 million passengers in 2023
Single source
11Air Canada 50.2 million passengers in 2023
Verified
12VIA Rail transported 4.7 million passengers in 2023
Verified
13High-speed rail demand projected but Amtrak to Montreal 1.2 million
Verified
14Road trips accounted for 75% of domestic travel in 2023
Directional
15Rental car revenue $5.8 billion in 2023
Single source
16Cruise passengers to Canada 2.9 million in 2023
Verified
17Port of Vancouver cruise calls 325 in 2023
Verified
18Ferry passengers BC Ferries 22.1 million in 2023
Verified
19Electric vehicle rentals up 45% in tourism hotspots 2023
Directional
20Bike-sharing trips 12.4 million in major cities 2023
Single source
21Public transit ridership in tourism cities 1.2 billion trips 2023
Verified
22Tofino cruise tender passengers 150,000 in 2023
Verified
23Jasper shuttle services carried 450,000 in 2023
Verified

Transportation Interpretation

In a nation where the skies are once again packed—with Air Canada alone shepherding over 50 million souls and domestic roads claiming three-quarters of the wanderlust—the story of 2023 is a cacophony of wheels, wings, and propellers, proving that whether by land, sea, or air, Canadians and their guests are passionately, and sometimes electrically, finding their way back to movement.

Visitor Statistics

1Canada welcomed 20.4 million international overnight visitors in 2023, up 34% from 2022
Verified
2US visitors to Canada numbered 12.8 million in 2023, representing 62% of total international arrivals
Verified
3Overseas visitors to Canada reached 5.1 million in 2023, a 52% increase YoY
Verified
4Average length of stay for international visitors was 14.2 nights in 2023
Directional
555% of international visitors to Canada were from Europe in 2023
Single source
6Asia-Pacific visitors totaled 2.3 million in 2023, 11% of total
Verified
7Mexico accounted for 0.9 million visitors to Canada in 2023
Verified
8Repeat visitors made up 42% of international arrivals in 2023
Verified
968% of visitors traveled for leisure in 2023
Directional
10Business travelers numbered 3.2 million international in 2023
Single source
11VFR (visiting friends and relatives) trips totaled 4.1 million in 2023
Verified
12Toronto welcomed 9.2 million visitors in 2023
Verified
13Vancouver international arrivals 6.8 million in 2023
Verified
14Montreal visitor numbers 8.1 million in 2023
Directional
15Niagara Falls region saw 14.5 million visitors in 2023
Single source
16Banff National Park had 4.2 million visitors in 2023
Verified
17Average age of international visitors was 45 years in 2023
Verified
1852% of visitors were female in 2023
Verified
19Families represented 28% of travel parties in 2023
Directional
20Millennials (25-40) comprised 35% of visitors in 2023
Single source
21Domestic trips totaled 432 million in 2023
Verified
22Overnight domestic trips 157 million in 2023
Verified
23Same-day domestic trips 275 million in 2023
Verified

Visitor Statistics Interpretation

Clearly, the world has decided Canada is the place to be, whether for a two-week European escape into our wilderness, a quick American getaway next door, or simply because 42% of you liked it so much the first time you forgot to go home.

Sources & References