Not to generalize, but Canada isn’t usually considered a warm, tropical location that can easily attract travelers looking for a memorable vacation. Yet, Canada’s tourism economy is as healthy as ever. Travel and tourism in Canada is expected to generate $17 billion in revenue in 2024 with growth projections allowing it to reach $19 billion by 2029. Even without a great climate or world-class beaches, Canada’s tourism is thriving for both domestic and international travelers. The question is, why has Canada been so strong in tourism, and why will that trend continue? There are several reasons worth exploring.
Scenery
Even if Canadian beaches are suitable for lounging for only a few months of the year, the country has no shortage of coastlines. After all, Canada is bordered by three different oceans and has thousands of miles of coastal areas that provide amazing scenery and a great backdrop for tourist activity. Even the interior part of Canada possesses some of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Regardless of the climate, tourists will always gravitate to beautiful scenery, which Canada undoubtedly possesses.
Famous Places
Throughout its borders, Canada is filled with both beautiful and famous places. It begins with 20 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. There are too many details, but each one offers natural beauty or an important historical or cultural artifact that attracts tourists to the area. The dozens of national parks and park reserves in Canada do the same, providing both natural beauty and recreational activities for visitors.
Winter Sports
Some countries attract tourists during the summer months with amazing weather and seaside locales. However, Canada attracts tourists by leaning into one of its strengths: winter sports.
The country is a haven for fans of skiing and snowboarding, not to mention other sports like curling that are waiting for people to discover. There are hundreds of resorts and thousands of ski slopes scattered throughout the country, giving tourists no shortage of options if they want to experience some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the world. There are also several pro hockey franchises, helping to make Canada a desirable tourist destination for hockey fans from all over the world.
Diverse Cities
For tourists who prefer big cities and bustling downtown areas over ski slopes, Canada offers a wealth of attractions. On both coasts, there are world-class cities, including Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton, and Vancouver. Each city is unique, offering something that tourists are unlikely to find anywhere else in the world. Canada’s major cities all have exceptional museums, shopping, dining, and entertainment that will keep tourists busy. Foreign visitors have the option of focusing on just one of Canada’s great cities or trying to experience a little bit in several different cities to get a true taste of the country’s diversity.
Casino Gambling
There has been a global boom in the popularity of casino gambling and sports betting in recent years, and Canada has certainly played its part and kept up with this trend. Several of Canada’s major cities feature at least one casino or at least have one that’s a short distance away. It’s also important to mention the prevalence of online casinos in Canada. No matter where tourists venture inside Canada’s borders, they will be able to choose from over a dozen online casinos that currently operate in Canada.
This means that tourists don’t even need to find a brick-and-mortar casino; they can relax during their vacation by playing online casino games on their mobile devices.
Festivals
Major festivals and events are always a good reason to travel, and Canada is able to give tourists reasons to visit. For instance, the Calgary Stampede every July is often labeled “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,” as it embodies Western heritage with a festival based around music, art, and rodeo events. Likewise, Montreal’s yearly Jazz Festival is one of the largest jazz festivals in the world, attracting international travelers from all over the world.
Food
The cuisine of a country often plays a role in attracting tourists. In Canada’s case, the food is undoubtedly unique and distinct from anywhere else in the world. Since Canada has a long coastline, it also has amazing seafood. The country is also famous for its maple syrup, cheese, desserts like Saskatoon berry pie, and, of course, its famous poutine. While not always the most elegant meals, dishes that are uniquely Canadian can help to attract tourists.
