Canadian travel trends are shifting dramatically in 2026 as millions of Canadians are choosing domestic travel over international vacations, creating a major tourism boom across Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta, and Atlantic Canada. According to a new survey from the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), Canadians are still prioritizing vacations despite economic pressure, inflation concerns, rising fuel prices, and uncertainty surrounding global travel.
The latest BDC survey reveals that nearly 9 in 10 Canadians plan to travel in 2026, proving that travel remains one of the highest priorities for households across the country. However, the biggest change is where Canadians are spending their travel money. Instead of heading south to the United States, more Canadians are choosing Canadian destinations, Canadian hotels, Canadian tourism experiences, and Canadian road trips.
The new Canadian travel trend is transforming the domestic tourism industry and creating massive opportunities for tourism businesses, airlines, hotels, resorts, restaurants, and local attractions nationwide.
Canadians Are Avoiding U.S. Travel and Choosing Canadian Destinations Instead
One of the biggest findings from the BDC travel survey is that nearly 70% of Canadians say they are avoiding travel to the United States in 2026. Instead, Canadians are increasingly exploring destinations within Canada, including British Columbia mountain towns, Ontario cottage destinations, Quebec cultural cities, Alberta national parks, and Atlantic Canada coastal regions.
Domestic tourism in Canada is no longer seen as a backup option. Canadians are now actively choosing Canadian travel experiences because they value flexibility, affordability, convenience, and unique regional experiences.
The survey found that 92% of Canadian travellers are planning at least one trip within Canada this year. That statistic highlights the growing strength of Canada’s domestic tourism economy at a time when global travel costs continue rising.
Travel experts say this shift could permanently reshape the Canadian tourism sector.
Domestic Travel Is Becoming Canada’s New Tourism Economy
The domestic travel boom is becoming a major economic driver for Canada. According to BDC estimates, if Canadians replace just one overnight foreign stay with one additional day traveling within Canada, the country could generate up to $4.6 billion in additional GDP without increasing overall travel spending.
That means Canadian tourism businesses are positioned to benefit directly from changing traveller behaviour.
Hotels, resorts, campgrounds, airlines, restaurants, tour operators, and attractions across Canada are already seeing increased interest from Canadians looking for local vacations and shorter regional getaways.
The Canadian tourism industry is especially benefiting from:
- Increased road trips across provinces
- Shorter but more frequent vacations
- Off-season travel demand
- Flexible travel planning
- Budget-conscious travel decisions
- Local tourism experiences
- Nature and outdoor tourism
- Cultural and culinary tourism
The rise in Canadian domestic tourism is creating new momentum for cities and smaller tourism communities alike.
Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and Atlantic Canada See Different Travel Trends
The BDC survey also revealed major regional differences in how Canadians are adjusting their travel habits in 2026.
British Columbia and Northern Canada Focus on Flexible Travel
Travellers in British Columbia and northern regions are becoming more flexible with travel dates in order to secure better prices and avoid peak-season congestion. Flexible scheduling is becoming one of the biggest travel strategies among Canadians looking to maximize value while still enjoying vacations.
Destinations across British Columbia are expected to benefit heavily from domestic tourism growth, especially mountain resorts, national parks, coastal destinations, and wine tourism regions.
Ontario Travellers Are Choosing Affordable Accommodations
Ontario travellers are still planning vacations, but many are making compromises by choosing more affordable accommodations. Budget hotels, short-term rentals, cabins, and smaller boutique stays are expected to see stronger demand as travellers continue searching for value-driven travel experiences.
Ontario remains one of the largest domestic tourism markets in Canada due to its population size and wide range of tourism attractions, including cottage country, Niagara Falls, Toronto entertainment, and provincial parks.
Quebec Travellers Prefer Shorter Trips
In Quebec, travellers are increasingly favouring shorter trips rather than long vacations abroad. Weekend getaways and regional tourism experiences are becoming more common as travellers focus on affordability and convenience.
Quebec tourism operators are expected to benefit from this trend by promoting local culture, food tourism, festivals, and nearby destination experiences.
Atlantic Canada Sees Strong Off-Season Tourism Potential
Atlantic Canada is emerging as one of the biggest opportunities in Canadian tourism because travellers are increasingly open to off-season travel. Provinces in Atlantic Canada may benefit from longer tourism seasons as Canadians seek quieter and more affordable travel experiences outside traditional peak summer months.
Tourism operators across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador are now being encouraged to develop shoulder-season tourism packages and local experience-based travel offerings.
Canadian Tourism Businesses Face Huge Opportunity in 2026
BDC Chief Economist Pierre Cléroux said Canadian tourism businesses now have a major opportunity to turn changing travel behaviour into long-term economic growth.
According to Cléroux, Canadians are still travelling, but they are rewarding tourism businesses that provide:
- Flexible pricing
- Affordable options
- Clear value
- Short-stay accommodations
- Local experiences
- Seasonal flexibility
- Personalized tourism offerings
Tourism businesses that adapt quickly to changing traveller expectations are expected to benefit the most from Canada’s domestic travel surge.
Canadian travellers are becoming increasingly selective about how they spend money. Instead of luxury-focused spending, many are prioritizing meaningful experiences, local attractions, nature tourism, and practical travel value.
Inflation and Rising Costs Are Reshaping Canadian Travel Decisions
Although Canadians continue prioritizing vacations, economic uncertainty is still influencing travel behaviour. Inflation, high fuel prices, elevated accommodation costs, and broader economic concerns are causing households to rethink how they travel.
According to the BDC survey, 81% of Canadian households expect to make compromises in their travel plans during 2026.
The most common travel compromises include:
- Choosing cheaper hotels
- Taking shorter vacations
- Traveling during off-peak seasons
- Booking closer-to-home destinations
- Using flexible travel dates
- Reducing luxury spending
Despite these adjustments, Canadians are clearly showing they are not willing to give up travel altogether.
Canada’s Domestic Tourism Boom Could Continue Beyond 2026
Industry analysts believe the Canadian domestic tourism boom may continue beyond 2026 as travellers increasingly recognize the value of exploring destinations closer to home.
The shift toward Canadian travel experiences is helping strengthen local economies while reducing dependence on international tourism markets.
From Ontario and Quebec to British Columbia, Alberta, and Atlantic Canada, tourism businesses are now racing to capture rising domestic demand as Canadians continue choosing Canada over international destinations.
The message from Canadian travellers is becoming increasingly clear: Canadians still want to travel, but they are spending their new travel currency at home.