Travel To And Within Canada Continues Strong Growth

Montreal from Mont Royal. Photo: Taxiarchos228

Low gas prices, a weak Canadian dollar and a reputation for being a safe travel destination have helped boost travel to and within Canada this year, spurring growth in overnight visits from the U.S. by nearly 8%.

But this growth will slow dramatically in 2017, according to The Conference Board of Canada’s latest Travel Markets Outlook, as U.S. overnight visits are forecast to grow only 3.9%. Still, overall travel will remain strong as Canada hosts 2017 celebrations for the 150th anniversary of Confederation and Montréal’s 375th anniversary.

Despite the strong growth, The Conference Board is forecasting that travel prices will rise only modestly in 2017, at less than 3% for most travel-related expenses.

“We’re seeing increased levels of both U.S. and international visitors that are nothing short of tremendous,” said Greg Hermus, associate director for the Conference Board of Canada’s Canadian Tourism Research Institute.

Locally, growing [Canadian] consumer confidence and increases in disposable income will see domestic pleasure travel increase by an estimated 3.2% in 2017, the Conference Board said.

Montréal will experience a 5% increase in overnight visits in 2017, while visits from the U.S. to Québec City are expected to grow by nearly 6%, down from 8.9% this year. Domestic travel to Québec will grow 2.2% in 2017.

The Ottawa-Gatineau region “is expected to experience the strongest growth in domestic pleasure travel with an increase of 6.4 per cent in 2017.” Travelers are expected to flock to Canada’s capital city to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation, the 125th anniversary of the Stanley Cup and the 105th Grey Cup. U.S. overnight stays are expected to grow 5.7% next year, down from 8.5% this year.

In 2017, pleasure travel to Toronto is projected to increase 3.5%, boosted by Toronto hosting Prince Harry and his Invictus Games and the NHL Centennial Classic Game. Vancouver will see a 4.1% increase in overnight visits in 2017.

Meanwhile, the King’s Wharf waterfront project in Halifax, scheduled for completion in spring 2017, “should attract both business and pleasure travel,” the Conference Board said, spurring overnight visits to grow 3.1% next year.